St@tto's Kidderminster Harriers Diary
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** LATEST NEWS **
30 November Harriers Defeat Themselves Defensive errors by Harriers saw them slip to a 2-1 defeat at Hartlepool, falling 2-0 behind in the opening 15 minutes. Danny Williams gave away possession in the third minute leading to Ritchie Humphreys opening the scoring, and then a slip by Ian Joy let in Humphreys to set up the second for Mark Tinkler. Harriers staged a second half comeback (again), but were only able to pull one goal back, scored by Sean Parrish - his first for the club. 29 November Hartlepool United Preview There couldn't be a tougher trip for Harriers to take tomorrow to try and bounce back from Tuesday's FA Cup defeat at Rushden, league leaders Hartlepool are the opposition at Victoria Park. Pools themselves were also knocked out of the cup in the week, losing at home to Southend United in dramatic fashion to two goals in the last two minutes after having taken the lead. New manager Mike Newell will wait on the fitness of leading scorer Eifion Williams who was injured in the cup replay, alledgedly by the elbow of Southend's Kevin Maher. He should, however, be fit enough to resume his partnership with Marcus Richardson. Ian Britton will be without Ian Foster who has flu and Adie Smith who has an ankle injury but will give fitness tests to Dean Bennett, Drewe Broughton and Sean Parrish before making his team selection. All three have minor knocks, as does Bo Henriksen, but Sean Flynn returns after serving his one-match ban and loan striker Andy Bishop is available for selection again. One player who will be looking to have a good game tomorrow is Sam Shilton who spent two years at Hartlepool before Jan Molby brought him to Aggborough at the start of last season. Last season the fixture ended in a 1-1 draw, Mark Blake heading Harriers' equaliser and Stuart Brock saving a penalty from Ian Clark. For a full run down on previous encounters, click here. Current form in the league favours Hartlepool with five wins and a draw against Harriers' three wins, one draw and two defeats. I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Brock, Bennett, Shilton, Coleman, Ayres, Hinton, Flynn, Williams, Bishop, Henriksen, Parrish. Referee for the game is due to be Phil Prosser from Gloucestershire who has so far taken charge of six Division Three games this season issuing 21 yellow cards. 28 November Abdou On His Way Giant defender Abdou Sall has today joined Third Division rivals Oxford United on loan for a month, although the move could become permanent. Oxford boss Ian Atkins told his club's Official Website, "He's big, quick and strong and does have potential although he is very raw still. He is very powerful but we would have to develop him if we did sign him. I'm not in a position to bring anyone in permanently, and I am keen to bring someone in ahead of Saturday's game because if anything happened to our two centre backs we would don't have much cover". Speaking to the Harriers website Ian Britton said, "Things haven't worked out for him this season for one reason or another and, as a result it's probably for the best as he needs a fresh start to revitalise him." So far this season the big defender has played just five times - the first four games and the LDV game against Swindon - missing a big chunk of the season with a mystery ankle injury. 26 November Harriers' Cup Run Over Harriers interest in the FA Cup is over after hey slumoed to a 2-1 defeat against Rushden & Diamonds in the First Round replay at Nene Park. Despite giving one of their better first half performances of recent weeks Harriers fell behind when poor marking allowed Robert Duffy to head in the first goal shortly before the interval against the run of play. Harriers should have been ahead by this point as Drewe Broughton had missed an open goal in the seventh minute that should have been easier to score than miss. After the break Stuart Wardley added a second to leave Harriers chasing the game. Broughton went some way towards maiking amends for his earlier miss by heading in Harriers' goal, but the equaliser would not come. 25 November Rushden & Diamonds Preview Harriers will be without three players for tomorrow evening's FA Cup First Round Replay at Nene Park against Rushden. Skipper Sean Flynn and Scott Stamps must now serve their suspensions tomorrow after Saturday's wash-out, although Stamps is injured, while Andy Bishop cannot play as he was not signed in time for the first game. The extra days without action should have allowed Sean Parrish, Adie Smith, Drewe Broughton and Dean Bennett to recover from the knocks picked up at Torquay last week. Rushden got through Saturday's game at Lincoln relatively unscathed and stretched their unbeaten run to six games with a 2-1 win with goals from David Bell and Stuart Wardley. Afterwards manager Brian Talbot said, "Lincoln put us under a lot of pressure but the best team won. It was an aerial bombardment and we dealt with it". I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Brock, Smith, Shilton, Coleman, Ayres, Hinton, Bennett, Williams, Broughton, Henriksen, Parrish. 23 November Oxford Match OFF Heavy rain overnight and this morning has led to the postponement of today's game with most of the Aggborough pitch under water. No news is yet available as to when the game is likely to be played. 22 November Oxford United Preview Ian Britton has a number of tough decisios to make ahead of tomorrow's Division Three clash with Oxford at Aggborough. Skipper Sean Flynn and left back Scott Stamps are both suspended, although Stamps has a torn adductor muscle and will be out for three or four weeks, Sean Parrish is not completely over his groin strain and was joined on the injured list after Tuesday's game at Torquay by Drewe Broughton, Adie Smith and Dean Bennett. Parrish should be available if his groin continues to recover, while Smith also with a groin strain and Broughton who had a dead leg should both be OK if selected. Oxford boss Ian Atkins welcomes Bobby Ford back into his squad after the midfielder has been on the sidelines for the last six weeks with a groin injury, top scorer Andy Scott is also in line for a recall but Rob Loevgrove is definitely out as he has tonsilitis. United will be looking to record their third win in a row as their form improves after a six game winless run, last weekend the won through to round two of the FA Cup beating Dover Athletic amd that followed on from victory over Rochdale in the league. The corresponding fixture last season ended in a goalles draw and Harriers have not beaten Oxford since they were at Aggborough in 1959 as Headington United. The full list of previous matches is here. I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Brock, Smith, Shilton, Coleman, Ayres, Hinton, Bennett, Williams, Broughton, Henrisken, Parrish. Tomorrow's referee is Steve Tomlin from Lewes in Sussex. 18 November Torquay United Preview Harriers make the long journey to Devon again tomorrow evening to face Torquay in the rearranged Division Three match. New loan signing Andy Bishop will go straight into the squad and give Ian Britton some extra options in attack. Scott Stamps is the only injury doubt, his groin strain will keep him out of the side before he begins a suspension for his sending-off against Carlisle. For Torquay, top scorer David Graham will face a late fitness test before the game because he also has a groin strain. Returning to the squad is Reuben Hazell who missed the last game through suspension. Harriers will be hoping that Torquay will not coontinue their recent good form and that there will be a repeat of last season's 4-1 win. Check out all previous meetings here. I expect Harriers to line-up as follows: Brock, Bennett, Shilton, Coleman, Ayres, Hinton, Flynn, Williams, Broughton, Henriksen, Parrish. Man in the middle is due to be Graham Salisbury from Preston. 18 November Harriers Saddle Up Loan Striker Harriers have today wrapped up the loan signing of young Walsall striker Andy Bishop on loan, initially for one month. Colin Lee, the Walsall manager,told their Official Website, "This move is all part of his development programme. I am pleased that we have been able to fix him up with a local team where he will be able to get first-team football so that we can monitor his progress at close quarters." Bishop himself is looking forward to the move, he said, "I am looking forward to going to Kidderminster and showing people what I can do. It will be a real challenge, but one that I intend to grab with both hands. I know that the gaffer will be keeping a close eye on me, so I am determined to make the move a success for everyone concerned." Meanwhile, JJ Melligan is set to remain with his club Wolves for the forseeable future to cover their current injury problems. He made his First Team debut in Saturday's encounter with Coventry City as a 90th minute substitute. Harriers boss Ian Britton does expect to see him back at Aggborough at some point, however. 16 November Harriers Must Play It Again Harriers and Rushden will have to face each other again at Nene Park in ten days' time after the FA Cup First Round tie ended all square. Twice Harriers had to come from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw after a poor first half performance left them chasing the game. Youngster Robert Duffy gave the visitors the lead shortly before the interval following some poor defending, but after the break Gary Setchell put through his own net to level the scores. Another Duffy goal restored Rushden's advantage only for Drewe Broughton's third goal in four games to save the day for Harriers. 16 November A Sting For The Bees? LDV Round Three Harriers have been drawn away to Second Division Brentford in the Area Quarter-Final of the LDV Vans Trophy. This is new territory for the Harriers as the two teams have never met before, it should be stiff test as Brentford currently are riding high in seventh place in their division. 15 November Rushden & Diamonds Preview More cup glory beckons tomorrow as Harriers begin their quest for the FA Cup by entertaining Rushden & Diamonds in the First Round. Harriers have been dealt a blow with the news that JJ Melligan will not be allowed to become cup-tied and has, in fact been included in the Wolves squad that takes on Coventry tomorrow. Also missing will be Scott Stamps who injured his groin in Tuesday's LDV win over Swindon. Returning to the squad will be Bo Henriksen, Dean Bennett and Adie Smith to give manager a selection headache. Brian Talbot will welcome back Paul Hall who has been away on international duty but he will be without the injured Gary Mills as the Diamonds look to stretch their three game winning run. Wins over Boston, Rochdale and Darlington have helped the club to their current second place in the league. The two clubs have already met this season, a Division Three encounter at Nene Park that ended in a 3-1 win for Rushden with Drewe Broughton being sent off. Broughton currently heads the "Bad Boys" league in the divsion and will come up against second placed Barry Hunter tomorrow. For a complete record of previous meetings, click here. I expect Harriers to line up as followd: Brock, Hinton, Shilton, Coleman, Ayres, Smith, Bennett, Williams, Broughton, Henriksen, Flynn. 12 November Sall Is Golden A Golden Goal in extra-time from defender Abdou Sall sent Harriers into the Third Round of the LDV Vans Trophy for the first time after a thrilling cup-tie against Swindon. A power failure outside the ground meant that the game did not kick off until 9pm but when it did both teams played attacking football looking to win the tie. Swindon took the lead seven minutes before the break with a goal from Danny Invincible and soon after the break Alan Young made it two after a mix-up between Craig Hinton and Stuart Brock. Harriers hit back within seconds when JJ Melligan hit his seventh goal of the season and a couple of minutes later Drewe Broughton forced home the equaliser. Neither side could find a winner in normal time and the game went into extra time, Invincible had the ball in the net but was offside and Harriers were able to breathe again and on the stroke of half-time Sall dived to head in the winner. 11 November Swindon Town Preview Harriers have a quick opportunity to make ammends for Saturday's poor performance when Swindon Town visit Aggborough tomorrow evening for a second round LDV Vans Trophy tie. Dean Bennett is one player who is doubtful for the game, he was sent home on Saturday feeling ill and missed the game. Bo Henriksen's thigh strain will probably keep him out again as he is unlikely to be risked ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie with Rushden. Beleagured Swindon boss Andy King will be forced into at least one change to his side as Manchester United youngster Jimmy Davis has completed his loan spell at the club and returned to Old Trafford, Eric Sabin is likely to come back into the team in his place. The Robins arrive at Aggborough on a five game unbeaten run that was started by the comfortable 6-1 win over Southend at The County Ground in the previous round. Since then they have gone on to beat Mansfield and Wycombe and draw with Notts County and most recently Tranmere. I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Brock, Hinton, Shilton, Coleman, Ayres, Stamps, Melligan, Williams, Broughton, Foster, Flynn. Referee for the match is Trevor Parkes from Birmingham. 9 November Bogey Strikes Again Controversial refereeing decisions and a lacklustre performance from Harriers ensured that Carlisle maintained the hold over The Reds with a 2-1 win at Aggborough. Harriers' gave one of their worst performances of the season on the first half and fell behind to a Craig Farrell penalty after 15 minutes. On the stroke of half time Scott Stamps was sent off for a second bookable offence a two-footed challenge on Leon Osman. After the break Harriers were much better and drew level with a great strike from captain Sean Flynn. The Cumbrian's winning goal game in the closing minutes and had a suspicion of offside about it when Will McDonagh turned the ball in. The drama was not over, however, as in stoppage time Carlisle had McDonagh sent off for a foul on Sam Shilton and Flynn also received his marching orders for his part in the melee that followed. Harriers had a great chance to salvage a point in added time when they were awarded a penalty but Ian Foster saw his spot kick saved. 8 November Carlisle United Preview Ian Britton has an almost full squad to choose from when perennial strugglers Carlisle United come to Aggborough tomorrow. Bo Henriksen is the biggest doubt, the Danish striker has a thidgh strain which would have kept him out of the game at Torquay had it taken place and is still rated as 50-50 at best now. Craig Hinton has benefitted from the extra week's rest and should be OK to play having shaken off his ankle injury while Danny Williams' rib injury picked up in the game at Swansea will not keep him out. Carlisle lie second from bottom and last weekend's victory over Oxford was their first in the League for seven matches although they did knock Oldham Athletic out of the LDV Vans Trophy. Boss Roddy Collins is set to welcome back Richie Foran to the starting line-up after he missed five game with a broken cheekbone. Lee Andrews, Mark Birch and Stuart Bell are all definitely out with injuries but Lee Maddison is set to return. Ian Britton is at pains to point out that The Cumbrians are not a bogey side for him, but the fact remains that Harriers are yet to beat them in The Football League and have saved some of their worst performances as a pro club for games against Carlisle. Last seasons game at Aggborough ended in a 2-2 draw with a fluke Richie Appleby goal late in the game saving Harriers' blushes. The results of all previous encounters can be found by clicking here. I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Brock, Hinton, Shilton, Coleman, Ayres, Stamps, Melligan, Williams, Broughton, Henriksen, Flynn. Referee for the game is due to be Mark Cowburn from Blackpool. 2 November Torquay Game Rained Off Torrential rain in Devon led to referee Grant Hegley calling off today's clash with Torquay at 2:30pm. Several inspections took place and attempts were made to clear water from the pitch but to no avail. No date has as yet been set for the game to take place. 1 November Torquay United Preview A goalless draw is on the cards tomorrow when Harriers travel to Plainmoor to take on Torquay United in a meeting of two teams who won 4-0 in midweek. Division Three Manager of the Month Ian Britton has a number of injury worries following the win against Swansea at The Vetch on Tuesday, Craig Hinton and Danny Williams picked up ankle and rib injuries respectively and join hamstring victim Adie Smith on the treatment table. All are unlikely to figure in the game tomorrow. Mark Blake is back in training now but is still some weeks away from featuring in the team. The Gulls have had a surprising start to the season and have found themselves as high as second in the league but October was not a good month for them. After starting the month with a 2-1 win over Carlisle they were beaten by league new boys Boston and then suffered a 4-1 defeat at home to Hull, a 4-0 home defeat in the LDV Vans Trophy at the hands of Wycombe Wanderers and then a 5-1 thrashing at Scunthorpe before bouncing back with the 4-0 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday night. Manager Leroy Rosenior has strengthened his squad this week with the addition of former Exeter City goalkeeper Arjan van Heusden from Mansfield Town and he is likely to start in place of the injured Kevin Dearden. The corresponding fixture last season was a good one for Harriers, ending in a 4-1 victory with goals from Bo Henriksen, Richie Appleby and two from Ian Foster. A full list of previous meetings can be found here. I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Brock, Bennett, Shilton, Coleman, Ayres, Stamps, Melligan, Flynn, Broughton, Henriksen, Parrish. Referee for the match is due to be Grant Hegley from Bishp's Stortford. 1 November Coleman and Melligan To Stay Wolves have agreed to extend the loans of JJ Melligan and Kenny Coleman for a further month. Melligan has already spent two months at Aggborough while Coleman is reaching the end of his first. Dave Jones, the Wolves manager, feels that they are better off playing first team football at Aggborough than reserve team football at Molineux, especially in the case of Melligan. Speaking to the Official Wolves website he said, "We've had excellent reports about JJ but for him to play in our first team I'd have to drop the likes of Paul Ince, Alex Rae and Colin Cameron - who are all playing well so he might not get such good opportunities here at the moment". 1 November Brit Wins Manager Of The Month Harriers' recent run of good form has been recognised by the powers that be who have awarded manager Ian Britton the Manager Of The Month title for October. Four wins and one defeat in the league and one win in the LDV Vans Trophy ensured that Brit saw off the challenge of Hartlepool boss Chris Turner. He was quick to praise his staff for the award, "I am delighted about it of course but I am only the figurehead - the players have been absolutely superb over the last few weeks. I never even thought about it until one of the players pointed it out to me the other day and when Nationwide phoned me, I was amazed" |
