IT’S SURE GUNNER BE EVENTFUL!
Moors’ big chance
GEORGE CARLINE says Solihull Moors know they are within touching distance of a dream date with Arsenal – but also that they have a big job to do to get there. National League Moors travel to Blackpool on Tuesday night potentially 90 minutes from welcoming the Premier League heavyweights to their own back yard in the FA Cup third round proper. Having held the League One club to a 0-0 draw at the first attempt, Tim Flowers’ men will quietly fancy their chances of springing an upset. England C international Carline says being paired against Arsenal in the draw was a big thrill – but it will only matter if they experience the real thing. “I was watching the draw at home – my missus, Alice, was cooking dinner at the time and listening in,” Carline told The NLP. “Her grandparents support Derby and we’re from over that way so they were hoping for Derby versus Solihull but Arsenal’s even better. “I was jumping around the living room a little bit. Kyle Storer, our captain, is a big Arsenal fan so it would be a big one for him too. “But it’s still so far away. We played well in the first game but you know it’s going to be just as hard in the next game. “Drawing Arsenal doesn’t really change a lot. It’s exciting but if we were through it would be even better – there’s still a massive job to do isn’t there?”
Moors had the ball in Blackpool’s net in the first game only for the corner routine to be ruled out for offside – a decision that had fans reaching for the laws of the game.
“We had that weird disallowed goal – it was probably the correct decision in the end,” Carline said. “I’ve never really seen a situation happen like that before.
“But it’s a case of playing the same kind of game. If we play the same way we did then we’ve got a chance of winning.”
Respect
Moors had a break from the league this weekend as they travelled to Southport – who themselves have the chance to reach the third round and play Tottenham – in the FA Trophy.
When they do resume their domestic campaign, Moors will hope to maintain the form that has them right in the promotion race.
“We obviously had a change of manager in the summer but Tim was assistant to Mark Yates before so it wasn’t a massive shift in approach or atmosphere,” Carline said. “It was a case of bringing in a few but the squad we had at the back end of last season has pretty much been kept together.
“It’s a very good atmosphere at the moment, we all get on really well and it’s enjoyable.”
Blackpool boss Terry McPhillips won’t be underestimating the challenge.
“We are expecting a really tough game, especially with the draw for the next round,” he said. “We will show Solihull the utmost respect.”