27 miles and nine points separate these two teams. Local rivals Kidderminster and Solihull Moors have never met in a competitive fixture before and meet for the first time at Aggborough Stadium on Saturday. It has been selected by TNT Sports to be the weekend's live National League fixture. Read the match preview and best bets below.
A run of six straight victories to end the season saw Kidderminster sneak into the National League North playoffs in sixth place. The league was as tight as it's ever been last year, with four points separating fourth-placed Brackley and 13th-placed Curzon Ashton. In this run of six victories, Kiddy only conceded once, demonstrating their defensive resilience.
This fine form continued into the playoffs, where Russell Penn's team were big underdogs. 0-1, 1-4, and 0-2 wins away at Alfreton, Kings Lynn, and Brackley, respectively, saw the Harriers promoted. Kidderminster ended the season with the best defensive record in the league.
After losing in the playoff final to Grimsby in the 2021–22 season, Solihull Moors would've been hoping to push on and replicate that last season. However, it was a miserable season for the Moors, failing to win any of their last eight games and finishing 15th. Andy Dallas' midseason departure to Chesterfield was a kick in the teeth, but Josh Kelly stepped up to the plate, scoring 11 goals.
Kidderminster have continued their fine defensive form this season, only conceding eight goals in eight games—the second-best defensive record in the league. The Harriers started the season with a 0-0 draw with Woking before beating York 1-0 away. Since then, Penn's side has yet to win. A 2-1 loss at fellow newbies AFC Fylde came before a bore draw at home to Bromley, a 3-0 loss at Ebbsfleet, and another bore draw at home to Maidenhead. A 2-1 loss at Southend and a 1-1 draw at home to recently relegated Rochdale sees Kidderminster in 19th, one point clear of safety.
One main positive Russell Penn can take from his team's start to the season is their defensive solidity, keeping four clean sheets. All four home games have ended in a draw, with only one goal conceded.
After a stellar spell at Banbury, leading the club to the National League North for the first time in their history before guiding the club to a 17th-place finish, Andy Whing decided to swap Oxfordshire for Solihull.
Since the appointment of the 38-year-old, the Moors have yet to suffer defeat and sit in third. After a flurry of departures in the summer, panic bells started to ring for Solihull Moors fans, but Whing has steadied the ship and defied expectations thus far, even without star man Joe Sbarra who has been out with injury since March.
Solihull Moors share the second-best defensive record in the league, conceding only eight goals. Four wins and four draws have Whing's side three points off the leaders, Barnet.
Christin Dibble was surplus to requirements at record-breaking Wrexham, falling behind Ben Foster and Mark Howard in the pecking order. This season, he has made the number one shirt his own, starting all eight games. His non-league experience is crucial in shepherding the Kidderminster defence.
After 15 goals for Maidenhead in 2021/22, Solihull Moors secured a real coup by signing Josh Kelly. The 24-year-old scored 11 in his first season and has scored four in seven so far this year. With Joe Sbarra injured, the goal-scoring burden is now on Kelly.
0-0 - 11.0- Bet 365
Kidderminster have only won once this season- a 1-0 win at 23rd place York. Under 2.5 goals has landed in 5/8 games for the Harriers. All four home games have seen under 2.5 goals.
Solihull Moors are unbeaten in the league still, with under 2.5 goals landing in 4/8 games. This game has low-scoring potential, and I expect Solihull Moors to continue their unbeaten run.
Selection: Solihull double chance and under 4 match goals: 2.10- Bet 365
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