01-11-19 – Preview – York City Vs Kidderminster Harriers

The Harriers are quickly back into action tomorrow when we journey all the way back up the M1 to pit our wits against runaway leaders York City. Not so far to go as Darlington this time but York is still one hell of  a long way to go especially following a defeat and one less days recuperation.

On Wednesday it was up to Durham to face Darlington and sadly coming out the wrong side with a single goal defeat and a broken nose for Rhys Williams. He might be able to play with a halloween stylee mask on but it’s probably the headache caused by the injury that’ll be stopping him. No doubt he won’t be risked if possible and it could mean a chance for Harry Higginson to stake a claim for a few games.

We should have no other injuries following the Darlo game although Ashley Chambers had a quiet game and was withdrawn in the second half. Maybe he was carrying a slight injury and that could explain the situation. Oliver Shenton came on for him and did well with a shot that could have drawn us level at the last gasp if it hadn’t been for the excellent form of the Darlington keeper, Liam Connell.

After years of threatening York seem to have clicked at long last and that’s down to a good manager in Steve Watson and some canny recruitment that has seen them bring in the likes of Steve McNulty from Tranmere and Dan Maguire from Blyth Spartans during the close season.

As mentioned City are clear at the top of the table by a healthy eight points and are unbeaten in all games so far. Last Saturday they won 0-1 away at second placed Chester FC when most fans thought they could be looking at a first defeat of the season for them. They struggled slightly at home to Boston Utd on Tuesday evening but still managed to gain a 2-1 win even though Boston gave them a hard game.

Their only injury worry could be for Kallum Griffiths who picked up a knock at Chester and missed out on the Boston game. He’ll get a fitness test before our game.

This is going to be one hell of a test for us with weaknesses still in some areas. We were hoping for a little more squad strengthening since the ownership changes but that seems to be faltering once more with a total lack of news since it all happened a few weeks ago.

We can only hope that we’re worrying for no reason and that things are going smoothly. So smoothly it could inspire all of us – team and fans –  to a brilliant victory on the road and a first defeat for York.

Photo © KHFC

Teams:

Harriers from:

Gregory, Palmer, Mountjoy, Davidson, O’Connor, Higginson, Penn, Johnson, Moyo, D Lowth, R Williams, Prosser, Weeks, Taylor-Randle, Scott, Butterfield, Shenton, Austin, Chambers, Fuller, E Williams, Freemantle, S Lowth, White, Peniket, Diau, Hemmings.

York City from:

Jameson, Whitley, Dyer, Ferguson, Griffiths, Jebson-King, King, McNulty, Newton, Spratt, Tait, Watson, Bond, Durrell, Green, Harrison, McLaughlin, Moké, Burrow, Kempster, Langstaff, McFarlane, Maguire.

Referee: Mr Jon Kenny. Cheshire

Talk about the game here

Links to York City websites here

Find Pubs around Kidderminster here