HEREFORD manager Josh Gowling hopes that the National League have a contingency plan in place for fans not being allowed back to matches.

The Bulls are due to start their National League North campaign at Southport on October 6.

The league decided on a later start date than others following the initial indication that fans would be allowed back to stadiums from October.

However, the Government has now put a pause on fans returning to stadiums.

"It's another bizarre thing," said Gowling.

"Football grounds are probably a real safe environment to be in rather than sitting in a pub in a close environment with loads of people around you.

"For me it makes no sense.

"Clubs need fans at that level for income and if they're not going to do that we will need support from the Government in one frame or another to keep football running.

"You would have thought knowing there would be a possible second wave that there would be plans in place.

"I kind of expect the National League to be coming out with some plans.

"It took long enough to get to this point so they've had enough time now to come up with a contingency plan if this happens.

"If they don't have one then we've got to be asking questions."

Gowling watched as his side played out a 2-0 friendly defeat against Solihull Moors in a behind closed doors game at Edgar Street on Tuesday night.

Solihull went close after 10 minutes when some neat play resulted in Jake Beesley blazing an effort over the bar from close range.

Jamie Osborne gave the visitors' a 23rd minute lead flicking the ball up before volleying into top corner.

The Moors doubled their lead two minutes before the break when a long throw was flicked on by the head of James Ball and headed home by Beesley.

"It was entertaining which was fair to say and a lot of possession based football," added Gowling.

"I think we worked really hard out of possession which was a real positive.

"We probably went with two strategies, we sat off a bit in the first half and pressed in the second half.

"It was just to give the lads an understanding and contrast between the two.

"I just think we lacked that final delivery and that final ball in the final third.

"The first goal you just have to applaud that. There's not a lot you can do about that.

"The second one for me it's a long throw and we've just got to deal with it better.

"The first contact is the flick and then the scorer is running back post and nobody has picked him up.

"We've got to be better at that, we will be and we'll keep on working.

"Take them out of the way and it was an evenly matched game.

"That's where we want to be so because we want to be there it's good to have them back to back.

"We get to see where the lads are and what level they need to get to performance wise."

Trialists again featured heavily for the Bulls with 10 included in the match-day squad.

Saturday's friendly at Chippenham is the last before competitive action is due to begin on October 3.

"We have made a few changes and there are lads who have become who we are looking at," added Gowling.

"It's good and the squad is coming together nicely.

"I think we've got a strong squad now and strong additions that we're looking at that will make a real difference to the squad."

Hereford: White, Hodgkiss, Grimes, Klukowski, Jones, Pollock, Trialist 1, Coke, Trialist 2, Brown, Trialist 3

Subs: Wright, John-Lewis, Raison, Owen-Evans, Whitlock, Camwell, Finn, Trialists x7