Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley says that Saturday’s second round Trophy tie against Solihull Moors is one of the biggest games in the club’s recent history.

Moors have been involved in some cracking league games this season, but Ainsley feels that his team has a great opportunity to progress in a national competition – and certainly do as well as the old Spennymoor United did in reaching the 1978 semi-finals.

“Today’s game is an opportunity to see how far we’ve progressed as a club, and it should be a great occasion,” said Ainsley.

“We want to do well in the Trophy, we have seen how well clubs from our level have done in this competition in the past. What would be the point us going to extra time and penalties against Gainsborough on Tuesday night, and then getting knocked out today?

“We have had some great crowds this season for our matches, and we’ve played some great football to entertain them.

“It would be great if more people come along and support us – if we win this, then we’re in the last 16 of a national competition. It’s a big day for the club.”

However, Ainsley knows that his team must tighten up at the back, after drawing 4-4 after extra time on Tuesday night against Gainsborough before winning on penalties.

“We shouldn’t have to score four times to have a chance of winning matches, we keep shooting ourselves in the foot and conceding sloppy goals.

“But I was still very happy with the character that the team showed on Tuesday. The players never gave up, as they proved when they got back to 3-3 with a just a few minutes remaining of the 90.”

Solihull are in the bottom three of the National League, but they have improved in recent weeks under new manager Mark Yeats. Last Saturday they led league leaders Macclesfield to a goalless draw, and in their previous two games beat Maidenhead and Barrow. They also signed two new players in midweek.

“We had them watched last Saturday just in case. We know that they’re a big strong side with pace, and they’ll give us a really tough test. We’re going to need as much support as possible to get through this.”

Defender Kallum Griffiths, plus midfielders Jamie Chandler and Mark Anderson will all have fitness tests.

Moors have re-arranged their home games with Boston United and AFC Telford United for Tuesday 6th February and Tuesday 20th February respectively.