Kidderminster Harriers Preview

[Match Reports]

A massive game as the Reds try to bounce back from three defeats in a row against a side struggling for form.

Team News

For City, manager Billy McEwan has a number of interesting selection problems. In defence, loanee Lee Andrews had a steady debut last week, but may be left out in favour of David McGurk's regular centre back partner James Dudgeon. Nathan Peat however will not be returning to the City side after a further set back in Wednesday night's reserve 0-0 affair with Darlington, as he attempts to recover from a calf injury. In midfield, the gaffer may switch to a more orthodox 4-4-2 system following his comments that the Minstermen should be less adventurous on their travels. This may mean a return to the side for Ryan Mallon, who was praised for his creative contributions against the Brewers. Up front, Clayton Donaldson and Andy Bishop, fresh from his scoring heroics for the England National XI, will almost certainly start.....but the presence of Joe O'Neill will be dependant on the formation McEwan selects. New Zealander Leo Bertos may be involved after completing his transfer to the Minstermen this week.

For Kidderminster, under fire boss Stuart Watkiss is increasingly testing the patience of an element of the Kiddy faithful who demand better following relegation back to the Conference, after a short stint in the Football League. A threadbare squad is finding the going tough, and Watkiss has several concerns for this game. Wayne Hatswell is suspended which means there is a gap to fill at left back. The club have signed former Wolves youngster Patrick Flynn this week, but it is likely that left sided midfielder Michael Blackwood will be forced to switch positions to cover, with the two wide midfield positions up for grabs. Either Simon Heslop, Laurie Wilson or loanee Marc Pugh will be chosen, with youngster Russ Penn set to be given a debut in central midfield. One to watch for the Minstermen is former Mansfield hotshot Iyseden Christie who has already managed 6 goals this season in a team that hasn't found the back of the net often.

Possible Teams

City: porter; price, merris, andrews, mcgurk; mallon, convery, yalcin, dunning; bishop, donaldson. Substitutes: o'neill, stockdale, stewart, staley, bertos.

Kidderminster: lewis; mullins, jackson, burgess, blackwood; heslop, penn, fleming, pugh; christie, atieno. Substitutes: danby, hurren, wilson, thompson, flynn.

Last Game vs Kidderminster

An embarassing 4-1 reverse in March 2004 against City's then relegation rivals. Richard Cooper scored the City goal.

Useful Links

http://yorkcityfc.com/away/kidderminster.php - Away Travel Guide
http://yorkcityfc.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 - Catch A Match Forum
http://yorkcityfc.com/pl - Predictions League
http://www.harriers-online.co.uk/ - Harriers Online
http://www.harriers.co.uk/ - Official Site
http://www.harriers-mad.co.uk/ - Harriers Mad
http://www.thisiskhfc.co.uk/ - This is KHFC Site
http://www.supareds.com/scgi-bin/ - Kidderminster Fans Forum