Match Preview: Solihull Moors (H)
AFC Fylde kick-off their 2024/25 Vanarama National League season against Solihull Moors at Mill Farm on Saturday afternoon, kick-off 3pm.
Chris Beech’s Coasters begin the new campaign in front of their own supporters after a positive pre-season schedule.
Visiting the Fylde Coast this weekend are Solihull, who lost the Promotion Final on penalties to Bromley at Wembley in May as well as the FA Trophy Final to Gateshead, also on spot-kicks.
The West Midlands outfit finished fifth in the division, as they earned 76 points under Head Coach Andy Whing.
The last meeting between the two teams at Mill Farm took place in February, which ended in a 2-2 draw under the lights, with Nick Haughton and Danny Ormerod scoring Fylde’s goals.
Team news
New signing Offrande Zanzala is a doubt for Saturday’s visit of Solihull Moors following a knee injury.
Other summer arrivals are in contention to make their competitive Coasters debuts as the season gets underway.
The Head Coach: Andy Whing
Whing was appointed at Damson Park in June 2023 and led the Moors to two Wembley finals in his first season in charge.
In a 12-year playing career, Birmingham-born Whing featured for six EFL clubs, making 346 league appearances in total.
Starting out at Coventry City, Whing, who played in a right-back position, turned out 106 times for the Sky Blues during four-years at the club before joining Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer of 2007 following a loan spell on the South Coast.
Whing made a further 91 appearances for the Seagulls as the club competed in League One, eventually leaving the Withdean Stadium in January 2011 after loan spells at Chesterfield and Leyton Orient, to make his stay at Brisbane Road permanent.
He left Leyton Orient in the summer of that year to sign for Oxford United, turning out 100 times for the U’s, becoming a fan favourite at the Kassam Stadium, remaining on the coaching staff after his retirement in 2015.
After six-years as a player and a coach at Oxford, Whing departed to manage Kidderminster Harriers U23s team prior to joining Hereford in 2019, reuniting with Russell Slade, his former Leyton Orient boss.
In May 2020, Whing was named Banbury United manager, bringing success to the Puritans as they were crowned champions of the Southern League Premier Division Central to the Vanarama National League North for the first time in their history in 2021/22.
Whing, 39, resigned from his role at Banbury in May 2023 having guided them to safety and would move onto Solihull a month later.
One to watch: Jack Stevens
Forward Jack Stevens signed for Solihull in March 2023 and led the line in an impressive campaign last season.
Stevens scored 14 goals in 40 appearances for Moors last term, as the club reached Wembley twice.
A former scholar at Oxford United, Stevens turned professional at the Kassam Stadium and also spent time at Chippenham before signing for Banbury in October 2021.
The Welshman proved vital in a record-breaking promotion-winning campaign for the Puritans, scoring 15 goals as they were promoted to the Vanarama National League North.
Stevens, 23, who can play as a striker or attacking midfielder, signed for his current club during the 2022/23 campaign and found the net on a regular basis last season under Whing’s management.
Tickets:
Supporters who have opted to collect their season tickets for the 2024/25 season are urged to do so before Saturday to avoid long queues on the day.
Fylde supporters can purchase their tickets for the fixture against Solihull Moors.
Admission for home fans is cheaper when purchased before the day of the game.
Prices are as followed:
West Stand premium: £21 (non-member pre-game) £25 (non-member matchday)
West Stand: £18 (non-member pre-game) £22 (non-member matchday)
West Stand U18s Young Guns: £6 (non-member pre-game) £8 (non-member matchday)
West Stand Child U18s: £4 (non-member pre-game) £6 (non-member matchday)
Adult East Terrace: £16 (non-member pre-game) £18 (non-member matchday)
East Terrace U18s Young Guns: £7 (non-member pre-game) £9 (non-member matchday)
East Terrace U12s: £5 (non-member pre-game) £7 (non-member matchday)
North Stand Adult: £13 (non-member pre-game) £15 (non-member matchday)
North Stand U18s Young Guns: £5 (non-member pre-game) £7 (non-member matchday)
North Stand U12s: FREE
To buy your tickets, please CLICK HERE
Match coverage
If you are not attending the game on Saturday afternoon, then Coasters Live has you covered!
Coasters Live will be on air from 2:45pm for the 3pm kick-off. It is the only place where you can listen to full-match commentary of every AFC Fylde fixture.
Brian Porter will guide you through the 90 minutes, so you won’t miss a kick of the action!
To listen to Coasters Live commentaries on Mixlr, please CLICK HERE
You can follow the Solihull Moors game through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.
X: @AFCFylde
Facebook: @AFCFyldeOfficial
Instagram: @afc_fylde
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