26-01-18 – Preview – Harriers Vs Southport

The Harriers will be hoping to stage a repeat of Tuesday evenings 4-0 win against FC Utd of Manchester when Southport arrive at Aggborough tomorrow afternoon. The treat that was served up for the fans a few days ago was long overdue following weeks of ground out draws that were leaving us exasperated and gave us renewed hope that maybe we can climb higher into the play-offs.

Goals from Ryan Croasdale, Elton N’Gwatala and Joe Ironside were very welcome but the superb debut goal from George Waring was the icing on the cake. An equally superb cross from Lee Vaughan landed pin point on his head and all he had to do was point it in the direction of the goal.

It wasn’t just the goals that were pleasing. It was also the build up play that left us admiring those in Red on the pitch as they pinged the ball around the back and across the park for break after break goalwards.

More please and we’ll have it tomorrow.

We should have Fraser Horsfall back with us following his one game ban but he might have to force James Pearson out first after James shone in the centre half position. We could also see a return from illness for Dan Bradley and Liam Truslove too after they missed out the other night. Hopefully we should have no other injuries to worry about.

Southport come to us on a mini revival after struggling for most of the season. New backroom staff have arrived at Haig Avenue and promised investment both on and off the pitch with new stands planned and a refurbishment of existing buildings.

On the pitch the new manager Kevin Davies has bought in new players including a former Harrier in Adam Dawson. The much travelled wideman has arrived there for the remainder of the season on a non-contract basis from Tranmere Rovers.

They have also bought in loads of other new faces too with Billy Priestley (Alfreton), Clive Smith (St Johnstone), Jordan Richards (AFC Fylde) and Dion Charles & Elliott Osborne (Fleetwood Town). Going out of the Haig are Anthony Schumacher, Adam Dugdale, Andy White and Gary Roberts.

Southport have an extensive injury list too with goalkeeper Iain Turner (hip), Curtis Jones (back), Jon-Paul Kissock (severe migraines and blurred vision), Liam Martin (cruciate ligamant) and Josh Hine (Acute High Grade injury to the Syndesmotic Ligaments as well as Grade II sprains of the AITFL, PITFL and Interosseous Ligaments). I haven’t made that up BTW. He’s in a bad way!

Injuries aside I expect Southport to give us a tough game but after Tuesday I’m also expecting us to do the business on them too.

Photo © KHFC

Teams:

Harriers from:

Hall, Eve, Palmer, Taylor, Horsfall, O’Connor, Vaughan, Pearson, Croasdale, Truslove, Weeks, Austin, Bradley, A Brown, Sonupè, McQuilkin, N’Gwatala, Ironside, Wright, Waring.

Southport from:

Worsnop, Halstead, Kpohomouh, Howson, C Richards, Priestley, Smith, J Richards, Jennings, Lowe, Morgan, Lynch, Dawson, Charles, Osborne, Sampson, Gilchrist, Doyle.

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

Links to Southport websites here

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