19-08-22. Match preview Vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

Preview: Phil Lench

After just three games the Harriers crumbled to their first defeat of the season on Tuesday evening when Curzon Ashton went into a two goal lead following defensive errors. We got a goal back through substitute Ethan Freemantle late in the game but couldn’t quite manage an equaliser although we did come close when Ashley Hemmings saw a strike superbly saved by the Curzon keeper, Chris Renshaw.

Now we have to go up to Bradford Park Avenue and get back on the winning trail. In our favour we still have a 100% away win record but we have only played one game away and that was the 1-0 win on the opening day at Blyth Spartans.

It was hoped that we would have improved our striking offer by now but that’s looking un-likely and we’ll still be going with the failed option of Yusifu Ceesay playing as a centre forward with Freemantle coming on as a sub. Amari Morgan-Smith is still not available and if he does become so before kick off then he’ll probably be on the bench.

Following the Curzon game we still seem to be injury free with Alex Penny the only other player out. 

Bradfords season so far has been an opening day home defeat to Kings Lynn Town. On the following Saturday they drew at Kettering Town and then on Tuesday evening a 2-2 draw at Scarborough Athletic after going into a two goal lead but then allowing the home team to score twice in the dying minutes of the game.

BPA’s first goal was a worldy from Jamie Spencer when, on the halfway line, he spotted the Scarborough keeper off his line and lobbed him good and proper.

At the end of the game Spencer was sent off following fisticuffs in the tunnel but Bradford are appealing it. He would still be available to play tomorrow though.

I assume they have no injuries because no one seems to mention any on their website but I do know that the former Harriers loan player, Will Longbottom has recovered following a short illness while Ed Church is fully fit from an ankle injury. Both could play some part.

In a video released by the club this morning the manager Russ Penn has said that:

We have more than enough firepower

Hmmm!

Photo © KHFC

Teams:

Harriers from:

Palmer, Emery, Penny, Richards, Knight-Percival, Foulkes, Pearce, Margetson, Lowe, Bastable, Leak, Lissimore, Byrne, Brown, Owen-Evans, Rogers, Martin, Freemantle, Tolley, Hemmings, Morgan-Smith, Ceesay.

Bradford (PA) from:

King, Sykes-Kenworthy, Hall, Havern, Odunston, Lund, Staunton, Maroodza, Brooks, Hopper, Spencer, Fielding, Richman, Nowakowski, Church, Blyth, Smith, Johnson, Longbottom.

Referee: Mr John Mulligan. Carlisle

Talk about the game here

Links to Bradford (PA) websites here

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