04-11-22. Match preview Vs Darlington FC

Preview: Phil Lench

It’s back to the drawing board for Russ Penn following a bad defeat at Scarborough Athletic on Tuesday evening. A great first half that saw the Harriers draw level twice went completely pear shaped in the second half as we collapsed in disarray to concede two goals in as many minutes and ended up losing 4-2. Defensively we looked poor again with a couple of defenders not doing their job.

We had all thought that things were on the up with wins against Chorley FC and Banbury Utd, following two bad games against Farsley Celtic and Southport, but that was just a false dawn and we now need to put it all right at home to Darlington FC tomorrow.

I can’t see there being many changes to the side even though we’ve seen the same lineup for three games running. Instead I think players will have had their job description hammered into them and they’ll be expected to follow that line.

Darlington have surged up the table in recent weeks following a poor start to the season and now sit nicely placed in third. Most of the reason for that is down to a brilliant September for them when they won every single game including anFA Cup tie against Southport. On Tuesday evening they pushed AFC Telford Utd closer to relegation with a 4-1 win at the Bucks Head. An impressive hat trick from Jack Lambert helping them on their way.

Their defender Kallum Griffiths will be missing injured while another defender, David Wheater, could return. Jake Lawlor was withdrawn in the warm up at Telford so could be doubtful.

For us we still have the usual five out long term so barring a miracle they’ll be out of the reckoning. As will Kai Lissimore after he went out on loan to Bromsgrove Sporting while no one seems to know if Scott Burgess is still with us or if he’s been sent back to York City.

This game could go either way. Just have to hope it’s our way.

Teams:

Harriers from:

Palmer, Jamie Emery, Penny, Richards, Starbuck, Knight-Percival, Foulkes, Pearce, Margetson, Lowe, Leak, Byrne, Brown, Owen-Evans, Burgess, Rogers, K Martin, Freemantle, Tolley, Bearne, Hemmings, Morgan-Smith, Ceesay.

Darlington FC from:

L Martin, Taylor, Dodds, Jordan Emery, Griffiths, Hedley, Lawlor, Sukar, Wheater, Winstanley, Barbosa, Hughes, Leesley, Liddle, Moke, Purver, Rose, Beck, Felix, Hazel, Lambert, Mondal, Rivers.

Referee: Mr Neil Pratt. Cheltenham

Talk about the game here

Links to Darlington FC websites here

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