Gary Johnson’s side will be looking to continue their fine run of recent form on Tuesday evening, as they take on Solihull Moors at Plainmoor.
Having come away from Moss Lane with a 2-1 win over Altrincham on Saturday, United will now be looking to get one up over a side with similar ambitions to The Gulls, as The Moors make the trip down from the West Midlands tomorrow might.
Who’s the Boss?
Neal Ardley arrived at Damson Park last summer, and immediately set his sights on establishing his new team among the National League’s promotion chasers.
Having spent two years at the helm at Notts County before the Magpies parted company with him, there was some surprise at his departure, after guiding the Meadow Lane outfit to the National League Promotion Final during his first full season in charge. Although Harrogate Town denied County an immediate Football League return, at the time of his exit the following term, the Nottingham side were sat inside the play-off zone, with multiple games in hand.
Ardley previous spent over six years in charge at AFC Wimbledon, during which he guided the side to safety in League Two before the Dons were promoted via the play-offs at the conclusion of the 2015/16 season.
Player to Watch
Andrew Dallas would have already have been earmarked as one of Moors’ most dangerous threats prior to last weekend, however after an astonishing five-goal showing against basement dwellers Dover on Saturday, even more attention will have been drawn to the former Glasgow Rangers youngster.
Although he was unable to make the grade at Ibrox, subsequent loan spells at Stenhousemuir and Greenock Morton paved the way for a move south of the border, where his promising performances for Cambridge United and Weymouth giving Solihull’s new man in charge all the evidence he needed to make him one of his first new recruits.
Played for Both
United number nine Danny Wright spent two seasons at the West Midlands side between 2018 and 2020. After being released by Solihull in the summer of 2020 the striker arrived at Plainmoor in the build-up to the 2020/21 campaign.
During his time at Damson Park, Wright made 81 appearances and scored 17 goals before reuniting with former Cheltenham manager Gary Johnson at Plainmoor in August 2020.
Wright has also previously had spells at Dereham Town, Histon, Cambridge United, Wrexham, Forest Green Rovers, Gateshead, Kidderminster and Cheltenham Town.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 2 – 0 Solihull Moors, Tuesday 23rd March 2021, National League.
First half strikes from Jake Andrews and Adam Randell saw Gary Johnson’s side come out on top against Solihull Moors at Plainmoor last March.
It was in the 9th minute Andrews put the home side ahead, as his trademark his freekick from 25 yards out glanced off the near-post and into the back of the net.
Moments later Randell doubled United’s lead, with Andrews this time playing the role of provider following a run up the left-wing, before his cross found the on-loan Plymouth man at the far post, who was able to calmly slot the ball home.