Southend Utd Vs Kidderminster Harriers. 01-09-23. Match preview

Preview: Phil Lench

The Harriers are staying in the South of the country once again for this trip to the precariously balanced Southend Utd. Having played Ebbsfleet Utd at the bottom of London last Saturday we now go to the top of the capital and a bit further East to meet up once more with an old friend from our time in the Football League.

Last weeks trip to Ebbsfleet didn’t have the best outcome for us when we were totally outplayed and out fought by a team playing, at the same level as us, in the National South last season. It was hoped that the result would have been a kick up the backside for us but, as shown against Maidenhead Utd two days later, that wasn’t the case and although we didn’t lose we looked poor and playing at a level too high.

Now we have to buck our ideas up again with the game against a Southend side already deducted ten points for financial reasons and now with another deduction looming if they fail to pay their players again next week.

The Shrimpers would have been in fifth place in the table if they hadn’t been deducted points having won three and lost three so far this season. At home they’ve beaten Oldham Athletic 4-0, lost to Hartlepool Utd 2-3 and beaten Eastleigh 2-0 while we have just the one win away from home at York City in our second game of the season.

We continue to be without the services of Shane Byrne and Matt Preston but the rest of the squad should be fit. We’ll also have Alex Penny back in contention after he served his red card last Monday. Up front it looks like we’ll still be going with our limited striking options with no sign of any strengthening in that department forthcoming.

I can’t really see us getting much change from Southend and the best we can hope for is to hold them to a draw. With four goal Harry Cardwell banging in the goals for them we’ll have to be on our toes.    

Photo © KHFC

Referee: Mr James Westgate. Durham

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