Looking to book a spot in the semi-finals of the National League playoffs, Solihull Moors and Halifax Town will do battle at the SportNation.bet Stadium on Wednesday night in the quarter-finals.
The Moors were meant to be playing Gateshead at this stage until a change in plan, whilst the Shaymen were originally scheduled to meet with Altrincham.
Match preview
Due to Gateshead's expulsion from this season's playoffs, Solihull will now host Halifax in the West Midlands for a place in the semi-final on Wednesday night, when the hosts will be seeking to make it back-to-back wins in front of their own supporters in the space of five days.
The Moors rounded off a productive regular campaign with a narrow 1-0 success over strugglers York City on Saturday afternoon, when Jack Stevens found the back of the net in the 87th minute to secure a last-gasp victory for the Solihull-based club.
Heading into Wednesday's quarter-final clash, Solihull are currently in a good vein of form across all competitions, losing just one of their last six and having an FA Trophy final versus Gateshead to look forward to at Wembley on May 11.
Before then, though, Andy Whing's men will be looking to secure the Moors' place in the Football League for the first time in their relatively-short history, whilst banishing the demons of 2021-22 campaign.
In that particular term, Neal Eardley's Solihull made it to the playoff final after finishing third in the regular season, but it was Grimsby Town who secured a return to League Two following a dramatic clash at West Ham United's London Stadium, despite an opener from Moors' Kyle Hudlin.
Halifax Town are heading into Wednesday's winner-takes-all clash following their biggest victory of the calendar year on Saturday afternoon, when the Shaymen travelled to mid-table dwellers Eastleigh and secured a comfortable three points.
A first-half strike from former Birmingham City youngster Adan George had the visitors ahead at Silverlake Stadium during the half-time break, and Halifax ensured a positive result in the second period, when Jamie Cooke and Max Wright both got themselves onto the scoresheet.
As is the case with Solihull, the Shaymen head into this matchup having lost just one of their last six matches, but that defeat did arrive against Barnet - the side that Halifax will face in the semi-final should they win in the West Midlands on Wednesday.
Following a disappointing 11th-placed finish during the 2022-23 term, Chris Millington's charges managed to secure a top-seven finish this season to enter the post-campaign picture, bettering eighth-placed Aldershot Town by two points.
Team News
After keeping a clean sheet last time out, Solihull should continue with a back three of Callum Maycock, James Clarke and Jay Benn once again.
Nick Hayes will keep this spot in between the sticks, with the goalkeeper set to limit second-choice option Jack Myatt to a watching brief on Wednesday night.
Having found the net on 13 occasions in the National League this season, 27-year-old Tahvon Campbell is in line for a start for the hosts.
Halifax's leading marksman Robert Harker started on the bench during the comfortable win at Eastleigh, but the nine-goal forward could be promoted to the XI for this one.
The Shaymen are likely to include Kane Thompson-Sommers in their starting XI, especially after his impressive contributions in recent matches.
Solihull Moors possible starting lineup:
Hayes; Maycock, Clarke, Benn; Osborne, Boateng, Stevens, Shade, Whitmore; Campbell, Newton
Halifax Town possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Golden, Senior, Thompson-Sommers, Evans; Stott, Summerfield, Oluwabori, Wright; Cooke, George
We say: Solihull Moors 2-1 Halifax Town
Despite faring better on their travels this season, the support of their home fans will be crucial for Solihull on Wednesday versus Halifax.
The last-minute change in plans for the visiting Shaymen could have a negative impact on their performance, and we feel that their playoff journey will come to an end at the first hurdle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
