Solihull Moors went into the 2022/23 season, full of determination and purpose after losing the National League play-off final in June, against Grimsby Town. 
 

Thirteen league matches have been played in the division so far this season, and has seen some truly exceptional results such as Wrexham winning 7-5 at the weekend and Dagenham & Redbridge also winning a nine-goal thriller against the same side, Barnet FC. 
 

However, focussing on Solihull Moors, how has their season faired and where could they look to improve going forward? 
 

  • August 2022

Solihull Moors began the 2022/23 season in style, by putting four goals past Aldershot Town away from him.  This included goals from Joe Sbarra and Andrew Dallas, who were desperate to hit the same heights that they did last season. 
 

This was followed by back-to-back home draws against Southend United and newly-promoted York City. The Moors unbeaten start continued as they came from three-goals down to beat Scunthorpe United four-three away from home, before comfortably sweeping aside Dorking Wanderers.   
 

It was almost the perfect month for Neal Arldey’s side, until they suffered a defeat against in-form Notts County at Meadow Lane. Unsurprising considering The Magpies have got off to an absolute flyer so far. 
 

  • September 2022

Defeat to Notts County clearly filled Solihull Moors with even more determination, after going on to score nine league goals in their next two league games. Firstly, The Moors put five goals past Altrincham at the Armco Arena, including a hat-trick from loanee Alex Reid. 
 

This was followed by a four-one away win against struggling Torquay United, which included a brace from Scotsman Andrew Dallas. A point against Barnet soon followed curtesy of another Dallas goal. 
 

September ended exactly like August did, as Solihull Moors were beaten by two-goals-to-nil against Woking, with Jamey Osborne also seeing himself sent-off. 
 

  • October 2022 so far

October has been a mixed month so far this season. Off the back of a defeat against Woking, Solihull Moors came from two goals down to score twice in added time at the end of the match to rescue a point. Kyle Storer was sent-off during the match but  Josh Kelly and Alex Reid were on hand to earn a point. 
 

At home to Wealdstone, Neal Ardley’s side bounced back after suffering their first back-to-back winless run of the season, to beat The Stones two-one. Dallas put the hosts ahead before they were pegged back. However, Joe Sbarra was on-hand to score late on and secure all three points. 
 

Unfortunately, Solihull Moors suffered their third loss of the season last time out, as they were beaten by out-of-form Yeovil Town. Despite Ardley’s side’s best effort’s, a goal from Yeovil’s Chiori Johnson was enough to secure the win for the home side. 
 

  • The positives… 

Neal Ardley will be full of confidence so far, given his side are sat sixth in the National League table. This is already an improvement, considering Solihull Moors are already three points better off then they were at this point last season. 
 

Andrew Dallas and Joe Sbarra have also started the season in superb style, scoring eleven goals between them. Dallas has seven so far, and has been one of the division’s standout players so far, whilst Sbarra has netted four with several assists as well. Loanee Alex Reid has also netted six times since joining on loan from Stockport County. 
 

As far as squad’s go, Solihull Moors are also in a much better position this season, compared to their squad last season. Despite losing loanee Harry Boyes, as well as forward’s Kyle Hudlin, Adam Rooney and Danny Newton, Solihull have re-built with the likes of Ben Coker, Alex Reid and Josh Kelly joining the club. 
 

  • The negatives… 

The National League is extremely competitive this season, especially given the flying start made by Notts County and Wrexham. Therefore, three defeats at this stage, won’t exactly be ideal but is far from the worst scenario. 
 

Discipline is also something which Neal Ardley will be keen to tighten-up on. This is because the club have suffered two red card’s already this season, to both Kyle Storer and Jamey Osborne which leaves the club at a disadvantage in midfield, especially given the injury to summer signing Joey Jones, who is still yet to make his debut. 
 

  • What’s next for the Moors?

Solihull Moors are next in action against non-league side Basford United in the FA Cup qualifying round, before hosting Eastleigh in the National League in the following weekend. 
 

In recent matches, Alex Gudger and Kyle Storer have returned to full-fitness after long-term injuries, however the likes of Ryan Boot and Joey Jones are still yet to feature so far this season. Meaning the squad is still to be strengthened in the coming weeks/months.  
 

Last season, Solihull Moors reached the play-off final, losing just seven league games. Therefore, an improvement is certainly needed in the coming weeks, which would allow them to continue competing for the league title this season, or at least the automatic play-off spot’s as they achieved last season.
 

However, the positive’s certainly outweigh the negatives so far and with all-hope, Solihull Moors can continue pushing towards their long-term goal of reaching the football league for the first time in the club’s history.