St@tto's Kidderminster Harriers Diary
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** LATEST NEWS **
28 February Scunthorpe United Preview Harriers face another tough test tomorrow when play-off rivals Scunthorpe United visit Aggborough. The Iron are just one place above The Reds in eighth place with only goal difference the advantage. Ian Britton has been hampered by the loss of Dean Bennett who injured his hamstring in last Saturday's defeat at Boston and now faces several weeks on the sidelines. Also still out is Scott Stamps who injured his groin in training this week after recovering from surgery on his adductor muscle. Kenny Coleman, however, is back in training but probably will not figure in tomorrow's game. Scunny boss Brian Laws has his own problems, Steve Torpey is going to be watching from the stands for most, if not all, of the rest of the season through injury and missing through suspension tomorrow will be Alex Calvo-Garcia and Jamie McCombe who have both picked up five bookings. Filling in for Torpey is likely to be Rob Taylor the former Manchester City striker Rob Taylor. Wayne Graves and James Cotterill are likely to stand in for the suspended players. Earlier in the season the teams shared the points in a 1-1 draw, Mark Clyde and JJ Melligan made their debuts as the first of a series of successful of loan transfers with Sam Shilton scoring the Harriers goal. For a complete rundown of previous results between the clubs, click here. I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Digby, Smith, Shilton, Hinton, Scott, Morgan, Melligan, Williams, Broughton, Henriksen, Flynn. Refereee for the game is due to be Ian Williamson from Berkshire, so far this season he has taken control of five Division Three games and issued 21 yellow cards and one red. 26 February Forest Youngster Joins On Loan Wes Morgan, a 19 year-old central defender, has today joined the club on loan from First Division giants Nottingham Forest. As yet he has featured only in their Reserve sides but manager Paul Hart sees him as one for the future who needs First Team experience, "The loan will do us and Wes as many favours as it will Kidderminster. He's at the stage of his development that he needs League experience and it's great for us that he can get that elsewhere. He's been in my first team thoughts in recent weeks but it will be a major plus for us if he can gain some League experience before he gets the chance to go into the Forest side". Ian Britton, speaking to the Official Harriers Website, said, "I've had a good reports about this lad. He's big, strong and he's going to be a very good player. They think very highly of him, so much so they are looking for him to pushing into the first team by the end of this season. We're very fortunate to have him here. His arrival will keep the other players on their toes. He will provide a lot of competition". 25 February More Players Shown The Door Harriers have today released Daire Doyle and placed Ian Foster on the transfer-list. Doyle, who has failed to break into the First Team this season making just one start and six sub appearances, has had the remainder of his contract paid up. Having recently spent a month on loan at Conference club Nuneaton Borough he is expected to move there permanently. Foster has been made available for transfer, either on loan or permanently, but has not yet left the club and may feature in the squad for Saturday's game against Scunthorpe United. So far this season his appearances have been limited mostly to the sub's bench, making eight starts and nineteen sub appearances. 22 February Pilgrims Bring Harriers Crashing Down A disappointing performance by Harriers saw them outplayed and outfought by lowly Boston United at York Street and ultimately defeated 3-0. After the highs of the midweek win at Exeter Harriers were never at the races and fell behind to a Richard Logan goal and then conceded another on the stroke of half time scored by Simon Weatherstone. After the break Harriers tightened up a little but never threatened to get back into the game and finally conceded a late third goal to Logan. The defeat saw Harriers slip out of the play-off positions to eighth place. 21 February Boston United Preview Harriers look to stretch their unbeaten run to five games when they visit York Street tomorrow to take on lowly Boston United. Ian Britton has no new injury worries to contend with but is likely to stick with the same team that thrashed Exeter City 4-2 in midweek. The only major injuries are to Scott Stamps and Kenny Coleman, Stamps is back in training and may be available for selection for next Saturday's game with Scunthorpe. In the game at Exeter there were knocks for Danny Williams and Sean Flynn but both should be OK to play. Boston will be without both Mark Greaves and Mark Angel who are both suspended, Greaves completes a two-game ban while Angel misses the second of a three-game ban. Goalkeeper Nick Conroy has broken fingers and should be replaced by on-loan Michael Price. Injuries to Alex Higgins and Neil Redfearn could keep them out of the team. Earlier in the season the two sides shared the points in a dour goalless draw, tomorrow's game ought to be better with both sides enjoying an improvement in form. For a full run-down on previous encounters, click here. I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Digby, Bennett, Shilton, Smith, Scott, Hinton, Melligan, Williams, Broughton, Henriksen, Flynn. Referee for the game is due to be Eddie Ilderton from Tyne & Wear, so far this season he has taken control of nine Division Three games, including Harriers' victory over Hull City, issuing 24 yellow cards and no red. 18 February Bomber Sends Harriers Soaring A hat-trick from Danish striker Bo Henriksen, Harriers first since Ian Foster's at Nuneaton in January 2000, helped Harriers to their first five-goal haul since joining the Football League. Despite going behind to a third minute Sean Devine goal, Harriers fought back to level through Henriksen before Adrian Whitbread sliced Dean Bennett's cross into his own goal and in stoppage time Henriksen scored a third from the penalty spot. Exeter pulled another back in the opening minutes of the second half when James Coppinger found the net but two goals in as many minutes completed the rout when Henriksen and Drewe Broughton scored. 17 February Exeter City Preview Harriers have no new injury worries as they face tomorrow's must win game against bottom club Exeter at St James' Park. This game and Saturday's trip to Boston are games that Harriers need to get something out of if they are to build on this weekend's success over Torquay. A Harriers victory at Exeter could move them into fifth place, fourth place is a possibility if other results go the right way - Oxford must beat Bury and then Harriers have to win by four more goals than Oxford do. Exeter slipped to the bottom of the table on Saturfay after defeat against fellow strugglers Boston United at St James', a result that lead manager Neil McNab to say, "It's hard to put into words just how bad I thought we were. I am just disappointed at the lack of drive, enthusiasm and the lack of self pride". Steve Flack returns to the team after missing the last three games through suspension, games that have all been lost. Flack is the club's leading scorer with nine goals with only Sean Devine close on three from the seven games he has played since joining in January. The two sides have faced each other once already this season, a game that ended in Harriers' first win of the season - a 4-3 victory with two goals each from Lee Ayres and Bo Henriksen. The corresponding fixture last season ended in a 2-1 win for Exeter. For a complete rundown on previous games with The Grecians, click here. I expect Harriers to line-up as follows: Digby, Bennett, Shilton, Smith, Scott, Hinton, Melligan, Williams, Broughton, Henriksen, Flynn. Referee for the game is due to be David Crick from Worcester Park in Surrey, so far this season he has taken charge of three Division Three games issuing six yellow cards and no red. 17 February Brit Looking For Play-off Push "We want to get into the play-off party and ruffle a few feathers" - Ian Britton Harriers boss Ian Britton was delighted with Saturday's victory over promotion rivals Torquay United at Aggborough. Speaking after the game he said, "It was a good game and our first half performanve was one of the best all season. We played some good stuff and could have wrapped the game up by half time. I made a conscious decision to give JJ a free role because I know he'll get forward and take people on". He felt that Harriers' brisk start to the game was a key factor and prevented Torquay from getting into the game, "When we begin at the right tempo and maintain it then we're as good as anyone in this league. We've now got to take this on into our next two games against Exeter and Boston. We want to get into the play-off party and ruffle a few feathers". The manager was also impressed by the quality of Harriers' two goals, "If this was a Premiership game everyone would be talking about them. For the first one JJ just hit it, but he's done it a couple of times before this season so it wasn't a fluke. And to be fair to Bo, he's had a quiet game by his standards but when it mattered he's left his mark". Torquay mangager Leroy Rosenior blamed himself for the defeat, rather than changing the team as he had initially intended he went with the same line-up that had beaten Exeter in midweek, "I have to take full responsibility for the way we played. We were shot to pieces from the start of the game both mentally and physically". 15 February Gulls Culled A goal in each half was enough for Harriers to defeat Torquay at Aggborough keeping their play-off challenge on track. Harriers, who dominated the game against a very ordinary looking Torquay side, went ahead after 20 minutes when JJ Melligan hit a rasping drive over visiting keeper Kevin Dearden. After the break leading scorer Bo Henriksen hit his 14th of the campaign with a perfectly judged chip that left Dearden grasping at thin air. 14 February Torquay United Preview Harriers face Torquay United at Aggborough tomorrow in a crucial encounter in the race for a play-off spot. The game is also the last time that the Bill Greaves Stand will be used before the bulldozers move in to demolish it to make way for a new 2000 seat stand. JJ Melligan came through his Irish Under-21 debut on Wednesday unscathed and rejoins a squad that is again depleted in numbers after the departures of Andy Ducros and Abdou Sall. Ian Britton has just sixteen players at his disposal as Kenny Coleman and Scott Stamps are both still out with injury. Torquay manager Leroy Rosenior is without defender Steve Woods who is recovering from a knee injury but Jason Fowler is expected to pass a late fitness test to play in the game. The Gulls are currently flying high in fourth place in the league after their midweek derby win over Exeter City at Plainmoor in front of their best attendance of the season - 5761. Martin Gritton's 28th minute strike sealed the victory, his 13th goal of the season. Earlier in the season the teams shared the points at Plainmoor, Torquay taking a 2-0 lead before debutant Andy Bishop set up Bo Henriksen's goal and then scored the equaliser himself. For all of the previous results between the two sides, click here. I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Digby, Bennett, Parrish, Smith, Scott, Hinton, Melligan, Williams, Bishop, Henriksen, Flynn. Referee for the game is set to be Matt Messias from York. So far this season he has been in charge of just one Third Division game in which he issued six yellow cards. 14 February Two Players Shown The Door Harriers have today released Andy Ducros and Abdou Sall from their contracts "By mutual consent". Neither player has been able to establish himself in the team this season and both were likely to leave at the end of the season when their contracts expire. Already this season Sall has been looked at by two clubs: Oxford United and Rushden & Diamonds but neither wanted to take him permanently while Exeter City made an offer to buy him but the player himself turned the move down. Andy Ducros, however, has moved to Burton Albion and is set to make his debut in The Brewers' game at Forest Green Rovers tomorrow. Earlier this season he spent time on loan at Nuneaton Borough and it was while there that he impressed Burton manager Nigel Clough. Also, Harriers were thwarted in their attempts to boost the squad by signing Jon Beswetherick from Sheffield Wednesday, the player instead opting to move to Second Division Swindon Town. 8 February Dion Leaves Cumbrians Feeling Blue Dion Scott's first goal for the club eight minutes from time saved a point for Harriers who twice came from behind to earn their first ever point at Carlisle's Brunton Park. Despite a bright start Harriers fell behind to a Richie Foran goal in the seventh minute, but Bo Henriksen cancelled that out with his 13th of the season. Shortly before the interval Adam Rundle capitalised on a slip by Adie Smith to restore the home team's lead. Harriers battled well after the break and were rewarded shortly before the end when Scott headed in JJ Melligan's corner. 7 February Carlisle United Preview The Harriers squad is already in Cumbria as the prepare for tomorrow's crucial Division Three game with Carlisle United, for the rest of us, however, it will be a dreadfully early start. Ian Britton has no new injury worries after Tuesday's win over Bournemouth as he prepares for the game. Sam Shilton has a knee injury that has been troubling him for a while and saw a specialist earlier in the week but should be OK to play. Kenny Coleman is fit but will not be involved as he returned home to Ireland for a family funeral several days ago and will not be back until next week. JJ Melligan could return to the side but may have to wait on the sidelines as the manager could choose to stick with the same team that beat Bournemouth on Tuesday evening. Carlisle will be without the injured pair of Lee Maddison who has a hamstring problem and Jamie Burt who underwent surgery on a hernia at the start of the week, Jon McCarthy has a fractured rib but should be available to take part. The Cumbrians will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday's humiliating 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Lincoln City. 2-0 down at the break the players were forced to spend the interval on the pitch by furious manager Roddy Collins. Things didn't improve after the break, however, as the goals continued to fly into their net and they slumped to their heaviest home defeat of the season. Before that game they had won the previous two including a vital 2-1 away win at Bristol Rovers. Despite the recent upturn in results prior to Tuesday, they are still not clear of the relegation dogfight sittng just four points clear of the danger zone in 19th place and having played more games than all of the teams below them. Harriers have yet to beat Carlisle in a league game and have not even scored at Brunton Park. The meeting of the two sides at Aggborough earlier in the season ended in a 2-1 win for Carlisle, Sean Flynn scoring the Harriers goal before being sent-off. Also receiving their marching orders in that game were Scott Stamps and United's Lee Maddison. For all the results of previous meetings, click here. I expect Harriers to line-up as follows: Digby, Bennett, Shilton, Smith, Scott, Hinton, Flynn, Williams, Bishop, Henriksen, Parrish. Referee for the game is due to be Tony Leake who has issued nine yelow cards and no red in his five Division Three games so far this season. 5 February More Sour Grapes From Cherries Boss "Football is all about tackling, winning the ball and trying to score more goals than the opposition" - Ian Britton Once again Bournemouth manager Sean O'Driscoll, the man who seems to think that clubs such as Harriers have absolutely no right to be on the same pitch as his "superstars", heaped insults on the Harriers after his charges failed to get anything out of them. Speaking after last night's game he said, "There are going to be a lot of Tuesday night games away from home and teams will know we are a passing side and not let us pass. Then we are forced to do things that really we don't want to do. When it comes off, it's a great game plan and a job well done and when it doesn't you think, do we need to play like this to win games away from home? It's something the players are aware of and something we are aware of. It's something we have got to come to terms with. Either we've got to be brave to stick to our passing game or modify and play differently - it's a challenge for the players". After the last meeting of the clubs O'Driscoll declared himself, "Glad I'm not a Kidderminster fan", last night his verdict was, "I'm glad I didn't pay to watch it". Rather than coaching his players to cope with other teams' tactics or to impose themselves on the game, he seems to think that opponents should just roll over and let his side win without putting up a fight. It is unclear where Bournemouth get their ideas of superiority and greatness, in nearly eighty years in the Football League they have spent all but four in the bottom two divisions and their only cup success has been an Associate Members Cup win. Ian Britton, however, was understandably pleased with the victory and he said, "I am happy with the result for a number of reasons, but mainly because we got a clean sheet.". He also had praise for the two new signings in the team, Fraser Digby and Dion Scott, "In the first 20 minutes we played some good stuff. We put them under pressure and their goalkeeper made two or three good saves. Dion Scott did well considering he has not played for some time. He's a young lad who can only get better. Fraser Digby made one great instinctive save, but didn't have many other saves to make. His general play was good, the way he talked, organised and kicked. You expect a keeper to be a shot stopper, but good ones need to be able to do all the other things as well. One goal was enough for us to win today, but I don't think there could have been any complaints if we had won by two or three". Defending his team and tactics from O'Driscoll's jibes, he told the Harriers website, "To be honest I'm sick and tired of teams bleating that we don't allow them to play. Football is all about tackling, winning the ball and trying to score more goals than the opposition. We were accused of being negative when we went down to Bournemouth because they couldn't score against us. And now we've taken the game to them at home, scored and beaten them, and yet we still get criticised! We've taken four points from a possible six from them and they haven't scored against us. I'm happy with that! "It's a fact of life that some teams will do anything to pick up results so it's down to the better sides to try and get round that problem. I can't imagine Hartlepool have never faced that problem this year yet they're doing well. We've always been regarded as a passing side and we have encountered sides this season who wouldn't let us play. That's life, you have to deal with it". 4 February Cherries Plucked A goal from Bo Henriksen, his twelfth of the season, eight minutes from time was enough to ensure all three points for Harriers tonight and get their play-off challenge back on track. Harriers dominated possession and denied the visitors any real sight of goal and could have been ahead much earlier in the game had they taken their chances. The victory lifts the Harriers back up to eleventh in the table just one place behind Bournemouth who missed the chance to move up to fourth had they won. 3 February Bournemouth Preview Defenders are thin on the ground giving Ian Britton a few selection problems for tomorrow's encounter with AFC Bournemouth at Aggborough. Kenny Coleman has a groin injury and Adie Smith an ankle problem making both doubtful for the game while Scott Stamps is still some way from fitness. Dion Scott should make his debut while Abdou Sall stands by for a return to the squad. JJ Melligan's ankle injury means that he is still doubtful, however. Bournemouth's selections will be dictated by suspensions. Warren Feeney, who scored the last minute winner in the game against Boston on Saturday, faces a one game ban for picking up five bookings as does Carl Fletcher, Marcus Browning, however, starts a two-game ban. After a good run of results in October that lifted the club as high as second in the league, they have dropped off the pace a little and now lie just outside the play-offs in eighth place. Currently they are on a three game unbeaten run but have not won away from home since beating Southend on November 23. Leading scorer Alan Connell will be missing as he is on the sidelines following surgery back in October that is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season, read his column on the Bournemouth website from October where he describes Harriers as the most boring team in the country. The meeting of the teams earlier in the season that ended goalless is the only previous meeting of the two teams. I expect Harriers to line-up as follows: Digby, Bennett, Shilton, Scott, Ayres, Hinton, Flynn, Williams, Bishop, Henriksen, Parrish. Referee for the game is due to be George Cain from Merseyside, so far this season he has taken charge of six Division Three games and issued nine yellow cards. 1 February Harriers Stroll To Friendly Win With today's Division Three game called off Harriers quickly arranged a friendly against Evesham United behind closed doors at Aggborough which they won comfortably 5-0. Harriers, who lined up at full strength and included new signings Fraser Digby and Dion Scott, led 2-0 at the interval with goals from Sean Parrish and Sam Shilton. After the break they added further goals from Dean Bennett, Abdou Sall and an own goal from former Harrier Jay Powell. 1 February Lincoln Game OFF The snow and freezing conditions have meant that this afternoon's game at Lincoln City has been called off. No new date for the fixture is available as yet. |
