Solihull Moors boss Flowers aims to spring 'big surprise' on Blackpool

Solihull Moors boss Tim Flowers has no doubt it will be a "big surprise" if his side beat Blackpool in Friday's FA Cup tie – something he has promised they will be giving everything to try to do.

The second-round clash at the Automated Technology Group Stadium sees Flowers' men, who are sixth in the Vanarama National League, host a Seasiders outfit currently lying eighth in Sky Bet League One.

The Moors have not reached the third round before, with their one previous appearance in round two, in 2016/17, ending in a 6-2 loss at Luton.

Former England goalkeeper Flowers, who took charge at the club over the summer, was quoted on their official website as saying: "It's a free hit for us, a little bit.

"They're a fantastic League One team, up there near the play-offs and it will be a good crowd. For our lads, it's why they're in the game.

"This isn't a particularly hospitable place for teams to come in terms of on the field of play. Off the field, it's a fantastic place to come and watch football.

"We want to make it as difficult as we can for Blackpool, so we'll be giving it a real go. All things being equal, they should beat us for sure. Sometimes that doesn't materialise, and we'll be doing our upmost to try and cause a surprise.

"If we do win it, it will be a big surprise!"

Meanwhile, Michael Nottingham is relishing a return to the club that helped him realise his Football League ambitions.

Nottingham was a central defender when he arrived at Solihull in 2013 but was switched to right-back and has flourished in the position.

The 29-year-old was desperate for the Seasiders to draw his former team and told the League One club's YouTube channel: "It was something I was praying for all day to go back there.

"I spent three years there, three amazing years, good times. I won the league there and it was a good part of my development to get me where I am now.

"I went there as a centre-half and left there as a right-back.

"When I was there it was a really small club, I think it was punching above its weight but we had a very good team there, we had a lot of belief and we worked hard for each other and we managed to do good things there.

"It's a very good club, a nice family club where everybody gets behind each other. They are going in the right direction, definitely."