Match preview Vs Bradford Park AvenueDate: 07-10-17Venue: Horsfall AvenueKick off: 15:00hrs

06-10-17 - Preview - Bradford Park Avenue Vs Harriers

The Harriers return to the trials and tribulations of the league at Bradford tomorrow when they take on Park Avenue in an encounter that will see eighth take on thirteenth.

With us below them it’ll take all three points to go above our hosts but can it be done? BPA’s average home record so far this season has them winning, drawing and losing two times each. Their goal tally is also low with seven goals scored and nine against. Then again our away record is equally as meh! with just two wins from six games, no draws and only six goals scored. Looks like being a draw then.

We should be having a debut for new boy James O’Connor following his finally signing for us on Monday. He’ll probably start from the bench but I can’t really see why with his wealth of experience and the fact that we have waited long enough now for a leader. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him given the captains armband either.

James O'Connor
James O’Connor

Who he replaces will be interesting. Will he take the place of Tyrone Williams at right back where Ty has been our weak link in recent games or will he move into the centre of defence and replace either Ryan Croasdale, James Pearson or Fraser Horsfall. None of whom will have deserved to be dropped although Pearson could be doubtful following the minor hamstring pull he had at Newcastle Benfield last Saturday.

Also missing for us will be our long termers Lee Vaughan and Liam Truslove while Dan Bradley could be out yet again with another injury after missing last Saturdays game. One day we’ll get two consecutive games out of him.

In Bradfords FA Cup game they were up against the ‘mighty’ Harrogate Town and held them to a goal less draw in Harrogate on Saturday but in the replay at the Horsfall Stadium on Monday evening they lost out 2-0 and the chance of an easy looking game at home to Gainsborough Trinity in the next round.

They could be without Wayne Brooksby (ankle) and Javan Vidal (hamstring) and both will face fitness tests before our game tomorrow. 

We know this is going to be a tough game, and the athletics stadium atmosphere of Horsfall Avenue does little to help. Now that our overdue squad building looks to be complete with the arrival of O’Connor we need to start winning more games than we lose. Hopefully Dan Bradley will be fit to play once again and, with the exception of Vaughan and Truslove, we should be able to see our regular starting line-up come home with all of the points on offer.

Photo © Walsall FC


Teams:

Harriers from:

B Hall, Webb, Williams, Taylor, Digie, Horsfall, O’Connor, Pearson, Finch, Croasdale, Weeks, Austin, A Brown, Sonupè, Bradley, McQuilkin, N’Gwatala, Ironside, Wright.

Bradford Park Avenue from:

E Hall, Drench, Toulson, Vidal, Ross, Knowles, Havern, Hill, Wroe, Spencer, N Boshell, D Boshell, Nowakowski, Brooksby, Clee, Lyn, Johnson, Boyes, Knight, Kelly.


Talk about the game here and phone the Harriers Hotline on 01905 577 777 after the game too.

Links to Bradford Park Avenue websites here

Find Pubs around Kidderminster here


Previous games against Bradford Park Avenue
 
DateH/AComp:ScoreGoalsAtt: (away)
29-04-2017HNational North3 – 1Ironside, Tunnicliffe, Truslove1890 (64)
03-12-2016ANational North1 – 3A Brown, Gnahoua, Waite379 (80)
13-12-2014AFA Trophy 1st rd1 – 4Johnson, Gowling, Gittings, Reid159 (18)
30-11-2013AFA Trophy 1st rd2 – 1Gash335 (50)
29-10-2013HFA Cup 4th qual rd replay2 – 1Morgan-Smith, Johnson1212 (33)
27-10-2013AFA Cup 4th qual rd1 – 1Byrne464 (150)