Kidderminster Harriers Vs Rochdale AFC. 08-09-23. Match preview

Preview: Phil Lench

The Harriers come up against another former Football League opponent tomorrow afternoon when Rochdale AFC arrive at Aggborough hoping to continue their strong start to the season that has seen them win three, lose three and draw just the one game. Last Saturday didn’t work out too well for them though after they lost in another derby game (one of many) at FC Halifax Town.

At the same time we were losing at Southend Utd but only just. An early second half goal for the Shrimpers was replied to soon after by Amari Morgan-Smith only for us to end up losing in the third minute of the six extra time minutes.

It was a better showing from us being strong defensively in the first half but not so in the second when both of their goals were down to defensive mistakes. Our second half was better from an attacking point of view with the introduction of Barry Maguire adding the missing creativity we’ve lacked in every game so far this season. He has to start tomorrow and has to stay on for the full ninety minutes too. That way we might actually get to see some goals from us.

AMS’s goal at Southend was only our third so far and, to be honest, we’ve not really looked like scoring more than that. It was hoped that we might have seen a proven striker coming in by now but it aint going to happen is it?

One has gone out on loan though with Samson Hewett going off to the Lye for a couple of months. Also off elsewhere is Krystian Pearce who has gone on international duty with Barbados and will be missing for the next two games. His Barbadian team will be playing Montserrat in the Nations League this evening and then Nicaragua on Monday evening. We could also be without him in October and November too. Barbados fixtures 

How we’re going to cover him is anyone’s guess with Matt Preston still missing injured. The likely answer Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain to replace Krystian with Alex Penny dropping into his usual full back place. There’s also a slight injury worry with Jack Lambert too after he picked up an injury at Southend but he should be ok.

In the Rochdale line-up we could be seeing a former loanee of ours. Max Taylor, who we had with us for five months from Manchester Utd in 2020-21, and made eleven appearances for us but officially didn’t make any at all: it was the Covid season. Also ‘with’ them is Tahvon Campbell but he’s out on loan at Wealdstone FC having spent time last season on loan at Aldershot Town. 

I have a good feeling about this game and if Russ Penn has followed my suggestion of actually playing Maguire then it’s a game that I think we could win. Be about time too.

Photo © KHFC

Referee: Mr Paul Johnson. Surrey

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