New signing Adam Murray is just one change to the Harriers line-up as Ian Britton looks to turn the week around after the poor performances in the last two games.  The players were warned that heads would roll after Saturday's defeat against Bury and after Monday's defeat at Cheltenham it seems certain that there will be a number of changes to the line-up.  Tomorrow will provide a stern test for Harriers as Oxford a currently lying in second place in the lead after an unbeaten start.
The only injury doubt is Scott Stamps who picked up an ankle injury at Whaddon Road and was replaced at half time by Adie Smith.  There are several players waiting in the wings to come into the side, Graham Ward has looked lively every time he has figured, John Williams offers a completely different playing style in attack while Matt Gadsby is waiting to make his debut.
Oxford boss Ian Atkins' biggest selection problem is in attack, Julian Alsop is suspended after being sent-off in the game against Hull City, and he has four alternatives to replace him: Mark Rawle, Andy Scott, David Oldfield and teenage prodigy Dexter Blackstock who has scored seven goals in two games for the U's junior sides this week.  Also back in the squad is midfielder Dave Waterman who has recovered from a knee injury and could feature for the first time this season.
The corresponding fixture last season ended in a 3-1 win for United, goals from Steve Basham, an own goal from Craig Hinton and Andy Scott won the game, Sean Parrish scored Harriers' lone reply.  For all of the previous encounters between the clubs, click here.
I expect Harriers to line-up as follows: Brock, Coleman, Shilton, Gadsby, Willis, Hinton, Murray, D.Williams, J.Williams, Henriksen, Flynn.
Refereeing the game will be Trevor Parkes.  This will be his first Division Three game of the season, but has taken charge of five other games issuing 19 yellow cards and one red.  Last season he was in charge of Harriers' LDV game with Swindon.

Derby County midfielder Adam Murray has today joined Harriers on loan for one month and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's game with Oxford United.
Transfer-listed by manager George Burley in the summer, the 21-year-old former England Youth international has been looing for a move for some time but nothing has yet developed.  Spending a month at Aggborough will give him some much-needed first team action and put him in the shop window.
In the last five seasons he has made 64 senior appearances for The Rams and also had a spell on loan at Mansfield Town the season before last scoring seven goals in 13 games.

Harriers slumped to their second defeat in the space of three days, throwing away the lead with less than ten minutes to go and ending the game with only ten men on the park.
Despite the "Final warning" given to the players after the defeat against Bury on Saturday, Ian Britton went with the same starting eleven, changing the formation to 4-4-2.  After this performance some of those players warned will surely be looking over their shoulders ahead of Saturday's game with new league leaders Oxford.  Matt Gadsby, Graham Ward and John Williams will all be hoping to get into the starting line-up and there is no-one in the team at the moment who can say with much certainty that they will be playing next week.
After a scrappy goalless first half Harriers took the lead with a Danny Williams free kick, similar to the one he scored at Darlington, that flew through the wall and into the top corner of the Shane Higgs' net.  With less than ten minutes remaining, and Harriers looking to defend their lead, Cheltenham drew level when Jamie Victory hooked in the loose ball at a corner and two minutes later Grant McCann fired a free kick into the bottom corner of the net.
Adam Willis was sent off late on after a late challenge on Martin Devaney and he is will miss the game against Macclesfield and possibly the following one agaisnt Scunthorpe.

Harriers have a quick oportunity to put yesterday's debacle out of their minds when they visit Whaddon Road for the closest thing to a local derby they will have this season.  Cheltenham, like Bury, have not had the best of starts to the season losing the first two games and picking up their first point on Saturday after a 3-3 draw at Hull City, and will pose a stiff test to Ian Britton's men.
Once again there will be a full squad for Brit to choose from, and he may make changes after expressing his dissatisfaction with the performance yesterday, saying, "The players have had their final warning".
Bobby Gould has some injuries to contend with: Lee Howells, John Finnigan and David Bird have achilles, ankle and leg injuries respectively.  Former Harriers midfielder Richard Forsyth made an appearance from the bench on Saturday and could figure in the starting line-up after overcoming a series of injuries.
The last time the two sides met was the season before last and was the last game of Jan Molby's reign before heading to the big time(!!). Colin Larkin gave Harriers an early lead at Whaddon Road but goals from Tony Naylor and Nathan Tyson gave the points to Cheltenham.  For a full rundown of previous encounters, click here.
I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Brock, Coleman, Shilton, Hinton, Willis, Stamps, Bennett, D.Williams, Bishop, Henriksen, Flynn.
Taking control in the middle will be Grant Hegley, so far this season he has done three games and issued nine yellow cards and one red.

Ian Britton was a frustrated man yesterday afternoon after he saw his charges lose their 100% league record at the hands of Bury.
Speaking after the match he said, "Generally, all round, we were off the pace.  We didn't show any energy, any tempo.  If you don't do that you end up in mediocrity.  I sensed it before we started.  Whether, because they had won a couple of games, the players thought they could just turn up, I don't know.  These are the bread and butter games.  These are the ones that dictate your season.  We failed the test.
"We didn't do enough to win the game.  Fair play to Bury, they came here with a game plan.  They came here to stifle us, to get people behind the ball, and they did that.  I don't like losing, but I can stick it if they play well.  It was the manner of the way we lost that wasn't pleasing.  Hopefully we can turn it around on Monday and get a good result at Cheltenham".
Bury player-manager Andy Preece was delighted with the win, "You don't come here and pick up three points withour working really hard.  It's a difficult place to come but we came here with a game plan and apologies for that but we looked effective.  We looked dangerous going forward and a lot more solid at the back.  The players are all shattered because they have given their all and I can't be more pleased with the effort that they have put in.  Now we have to build on that".

Harriers' 100% league record was brought to an end today by Bury after Harriers surrendered meekly giving their poorest performance of the season so far.
With Ian Britton having a full squad to choose from he made just one change to the side that beat Darlington last weekend, bringing in Andy Bishop in place of John Williams who dropped down to the subs' bench where he was joined by Matt Gadsby who was involved in the squad for the first time.
Neither team managed much flowing football, Harriers had slightly the better of the possession but were disappointing when they got in front of goal, Sam Shilton shot wide with the goal at his mercy and soon after Chris Porter opened the scoring for the visitors.
After the break Harriers created more chances but still were shocking when it came to finishing them off and in the last minutes Bury sealed their first win of the season with a goal from sub Gareth Seddon.

Harriers look to continue their good start to the season this afternoon when Bury visit Aggborough.  Harriers have won the first two league games of the season, the last time they did this was the start of the 1990-91 season.  Bury on the other hand are struggling to get going, so far they have failed to register a point.
Ian Britton has a full squad to choose from for the first time.  Matt Gadsby may figure at some stage while Bo Henriksen has managed a full week of training and should be at his best to lead the attack.
Bury manager Andy Preece, however, has a number of injury concersn ahead of the game:Chris Porter and Danny Swailes are both very doubtful to take part in the game while George Clegg has a ligament injury, Terry Dunfield a shoulder problem and Paul O'Shaughnessy a knee injury.  None of the latter three are expected to play.
Last season Harriers won the corresponding fixture 3-2 a goal from Sean Parrish and two from Andy Bishop gave Harriers a three-goal lead but they were forced to hang on for victory when Bury scored twice in the last ten minutes through Ian Lawson and Steve Redmond.  For all previous results, click here.
I expect Harriers to line-up as follows: Brock, Coleman, Shilton, Hinton, Willis, Stamps, Bennett, D.Williams, Bishop, Henriksen, Flynn.
Referee for the game is Lee Probert from Gloucestershire, this is only his second appointment of the season after being promoted to the Football League list of referees in the summer.

Harriers' young midfielder Graham Ward has been called up to the Irish Under-21 squad for their game in Poland tomorrow evening.
Already captain of the Under-20 side, he made a couple of substitute appearances at Under-21 earlier in the summer.  He was a late addition to the squad this time and headed off to Poland to join up with the rest of the squad after taking part in Saturday's game at Darlington.
He becomes the first Harriers player to represent his country at such a high level.  JJ Melligan also played for the Under-21s last season, but he was only on loan.  Previously Harriers had a number of players who represented England at Semi-Professional level.

Harriers became party poopers at the opening of Darlington's new 27500 seat Reynolds Arena, running out easy 2-0 winners.
11600 turned up to celebrate the opening of George Reynolds' new white elephant, delaying the kick off by fifteen minutes.  It was Darlington's best crowd since the early Eighties.  Harriers were always in control of the game, Bo Henriksen almost opened the scoring in the first five minutes and although The Quakers created a couple of chances Stuart Brock's goal was never in danger.
Andy Bishop was introduced at half time in place of John Williamsand helped Harriers to step up another gear.  First he was fouled by Craig Liddle which led to Harriers' opening goal scored by Danny Williams direct from the free kick and a few minutes later he wrapped up the game with a 30-yard shot that had Darlington goalkeeper Andy Collett grasping at thin air.

It could be like an episode of Casualty tomorrow when Harriers head north to play the first game in Darlington's new Reynolds Arena, Harriers have a couple of injury doubts while Darlington may be without six players.
Ian Britton should be able to welcome back Bo Henriksen to the squad after he missed Wednesday night's Carling Cup defeat at Ipswich Town with an achilles problem.  The only other injury is Matt Gadsby's knee problem, he has recovered but is not match fit and is unlikely to figure in the game.
Darlington could be stretched to the limit if they are unable to count on the services of Gary Pearson who has a neck injury, Matt Clarke with an ankle problem, Danny Mellanby who has hurt ribs, Andy Collett with a shoulder injury, Neil Wainright with a groin injury and hamstring victim Joey Hutchinson.  The Quakers kicked off their season with a 4-1 defeat at Hull City last Saturday but did knock Bradford City out of the Carling Cup on penalties in midweek.
Last season Darlington won the corresponding fixture 2-1, Bo Henriksen scored for Harriers but Matt Clarke scored twice for The Quakers after moving from the centre of defence to centre forward.  For all previous results between the two clubs, click here.
I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Brock, Coleman, Shilton, Hinton, Willis, Stamps, Ward, D.Williams, J.Williams, Henriksen, Flynn.
Referee for the game is set to be Martin Atkinson from Leeds, so far this season he has officiated at just one game and issued four yellow cards and no red.  A bumper crowd is expected at the new stadium, Darlington officials are hoping for their first five-figure attendance since 1984-85.

Harriers were knocked out of the newly-named Carling Cup by First Division Ipswich Town at Portman Road this evening, but not before they had given the most valiant of performances to take the tie into extra time.
Forced to start without on-loan Andy Bishop because Walsall didn't want him cup-tied and Bo Henriksen who is struggling with an achilles tendon injury, Ian Britton lined up with a 4-5-1 formation and gave full debuts to John Williams as the lone forward and Graham Ward.
To a man Harriers were all heroes, Stuart Brock again performed heroics and was given a great reception by the Ipswich fans when he went to take up his postition at the start of the second period of extra time.  John Williams ran himself into the ground up front and Ward was awesome for an hour or more until tiredness began to take a hold.  At the back Adam Willis won nearly everything that came near him and Kenny Coleman continued to perform like a completely different man to the one we saw last season.
In the end it was sloppy defending that cost Harriers, after forcing the tie into extra-time Harriers were undone after just ten seconds of the extra period.  More frustrating, however, was the fact that it was Harriers who kicked off.
Harriers can hold their heads up high with pride after this performance, and if they can match the levels of detemination and quality of play when they return to Third Division action they will be in for another good season.

Harriers face yet another tough League Cup first round tie tomorrow when they make their first ever visit to Ipswich's Portman Road ground.  In each of the last three seasons Harriers have been handed a game that gave them little chance of progressing in the competition, losing to Walsall over two legs in 2000-2001, Preston in a thriller the following year and last season Nottingham Forest.  This season Joe Royle's Tractor Boys would seem to pose a similar threat, it was only the season before last, of course, that The Blues were in the Premiership and they have featured in the UEFA Cup for the last two campaigns.
Ian Britton will have a full squad to choose from tomorow, although Matt Gadsby is likely to sit out the game again despite having recovered from his knee injury.  Adie Smith has shaken off the hamstring injury that kept him out of Saturday's season opening victory against Mansfield.  Bo Henriksen, the two-goal hero of Saturday's game is still lacking a little match practice but it is unlikely that he will be left out of such an important game.
Ipswich boss Royle is likely to make changes to his side after they drew their opening game on Saturday, 1-1 against Reading at Portman Road in front of Division One's highest attendance of 24830.  They were saved from defeat in that game by a last minute penalty from Tommy Miller.  Royle has already announced that amongst the changes to his side Martijn Reuser and Matt Richards will start and Chris Makin and Fabian Wilnis will play half the game each.
The two clubs have not met before so there is no previous form to study.
I expect Ian Britton to go with an unchanged team and line-up as follows: Brock, Coleman, Shilton, Hinton, Willis, Stamps, Bennett, D.Williams, Bishop, Henriksen, Flynn.
Referee for the game is due to be Phil Crossley from Bromley in Kent.  This will be his first appointment of the season, but last season he controlled 27 games issuing 72 yellow cards and 4 red.  Amongst the games he was in charge of were three Harriers games: against Lincoln on opening day, the LDV game at Dagenham and the late season defeat at Hull.

Harriers manager Ian Britton was pleased with his side after Saturday's season opening victory over Mansfield, particularly with the resilience that they showed in the face of sustained pressure from the opposition.  A Man-of-the-Match performance from Stuart Brock kept The Stags at bay making seven crucial saves, and even though Harriers managed just two shots on target Bo Henriksen converted both of them.
Britton admitted that he felt the result was more important than the performance and that he felt sympathy for Mansfield manager Keith Curle, "If I was Keith Curle I would be disappointed I didn't get anything out of the game but it evens itself up over the season.  We were resilient which made a change.  They had a twenty minute spell where they dominated us, we might have caved in last year but thi time we stuck at it and won the points.  Three points was all that matters, we know we can play better and we showed that in pre-season, but it was a very hot day against a decent side".
Speaking of matchwinner Bo Henriksen the manager said, "You can always rely on Bo to do the spectacular but it was only on Friday that we were certain he would play.  It was his first full training session that you could see he was right".
Mansfield's assistant manager John Gannon was not happy with the result, "we had chances and domination, and if it had been a boxing match the referee would have stopped it.  The facts are that they scored a scorcher of a goal completely out of the blue, and then a penalty.  Apart from that it was all us.  It was more than a decent performance, it was a very good one and we are frustrated with the result.  Sometimes you just have to accept it is not going to be your day".

Harriers got their season off to a flying start with a 2-1 victory over Mansfield at Aggborough.  Last season's top scorer Bo Henriksen was again the hero scoring both goals.
The first goal came early in the game and was a stunning dipping strike that is an early contender for goal of the season.  Mansfield equalised in the second half with a well struck free-kick from Wayne Corden, former Harrier Colin Larkin was a threat throughout but was unable to beat Harriers' Man-of-the-Match Stuart Brock.  Henriksen hit the winner from the penalty spot after Tom Curtis had handled.

After weeks of faffing around with pretend games against Midland Alliance sides the waiting is over and the real thing begins tomorrow afternoon when Mansfield Town visit Aggborough to kick-off Harriers' fourth season in the Football League.
Ian Britton, who has set his sights on the play-offs, has all but one of his players available to choose from.  The only one forced to miss out is Matt Gadsby who has made a speedy recovery from his knee ligament injury but lacks match practice and so will have to watch his former teammates from the sidelines.  Three other players - Adie Smith, Dean Bennett and Scott Stamps - have all overcome minor knocks, hamstrings for Smith and Bennett and an arm injury for Stamps, and will be available for action.
Britton wants to make sure that Harriers start the season with at least a point, defeat is not an option, so that the team gets off to the best possible start, "Some people have made us favourites to be relegated.  I've got to smile at that because that's what a lot of people said last season and we were in with a chance of the play-offs until the last couple of weeks.  I don't have a problem with what other people say.  We have the smallest squad and the smallest budget and so on.  But we upset a few last season and we can do it again this time around".
Keith Curle, Mansfield player-manager, has three players with injury problems to consider before finalising his team selection: Bobby Hassell has a knee problem and Adam Eaton has a hamstring problem, neither are likely to figure while Tony Vaughan has shaken off an ankle injury and could take part.  The Stags have two former Harriers in their ranks who will need little introduction to the Aggborough faithful - Colin Larkin and Neil MacKenzie.  During the summer Curle has added to his squad defensively, Vaughan has been brought in from Motherwell, David Artell arrived from Rotherham United and Luke Dimech has come across from Shamrock Rovers in Ireland.
The corresonding fixture last season ended in a 1-1 draw, Chris Greenacre gave the visitors the lead with Mark Blake heading the equaliser against his former club.  For all the previous results between the two clubs, click here.
I expect Harriers to line-up as follows: (5-3-2) Brock, Coleman, Shilton, Hinton, Willis, Stamps, Bennett, D.Williams, Henriksen, Bishop, Flynn.
* Referee for the game is Steve Tanner from Gloucestershire.
* Around a thousand travelling fans are expected, so the crowd should be well over 3000.
* Weather in Kidderminster tomorrow is expected to be cloudy and sunny with the temperature in the twenties.

Ian Britton today picked up the final two pieces of the jigsaw that is his squad with the acquisition of strikers Andy Bishop and John Williams.  After a lengthy pursuit of Bishop Britton finally got Walsall manager Colin Lee to agree to allow him to return to Aggborough on loan, initially for a month, although Lee has stated that he doesn't expect it to last any longer.
Williams has signed a three month contract which gives him time to prove his fitness after recovering from the ankle injury he picked up in the friendly against Leicester.  Should he prove himself then it is likely that he will be offered a contract to take him up to the end of the season.

It was a disappointing end to pre-season for Harriers this afternoon when former Conference rivals Hereford came out on top by the odd goal in three at Edgar Street.  Ian Britton experimented with the formation, moving Kenny Coleman into the back three and Dean Bennett to wing-back but neither player, or for that matter, any of the others on view were at their best and it was Harriers' least inspiring display of the summer.  At least they got a poor performance out of the way before the proper football starts next weekend.
Hereford took the lead before the break with a close range header from Danny Williams, Sam Shilton equalised early in the second period after good work from Graham Ward.  Steve Guinan capitalised on a mistake by Craig Hinton to score the winner.

Harriers end their pre-season programme this afternoon and Ian Britton will have a full size squad to choose from after awarding contracts to four of his trialists today.  Youth team midfielder Nick Heath, former Swindon defender Adam Willis and ex-Wolves men midfielder Graham Ward and defender Kenny Coleman have all signed 12 month deals that will see them through to the end of the coming season.  Only John Williams is still to discover his fate and that should happen n the next few days as he is set to return from injury at Edgar Street.
Speaking to the Official Harriers Website about the decision to award a contract to Coleman Britton said, "I'm delighted to be in a position to offer Kenny a permanent deal.  I know it was hard for him when he was released by Wolves but he has kept his head up and worked very hard to get himself fit.  He has come back to us this summer looking leaner and meaner, something I believe our fans have picked up on.  I always had faith in his ability but it was just a question of him getting himself properly fit.  He's a nice lad to have around the club and, just as importantly, he was eager to come back here on a permanent basis.  I want players here who really want to play for this club, and he is one of those".
Speaking about Ward, Britton said, "I saw him play a few times for Wolves' reserve side last season and he looked a good player with bags of potential.  He's trained well since he has been here and he has a great attitude.  He's hungry for success and I'm sure when he gets his chance in the side he'll grasp it with both hands".
Hereford have also been active in the transfer market this week siging two former West Bromwich Albion trainees Daniel Carey-Bertram and Dean Craven who should both feature in the game today.  The Bulls' pre-season programme has included a 1-1 draw with Wolves, a 5-0 win over a young West Brom side, and a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Birmingham City.  They have also played a number of games against Herefordshire sides winning comfortably and scoring a hatful of goals.