It's our second game in a row against League 2 new? boys tomorrow when we entertain relegated Notts County for the first time ever.
They ended three years of struggle in the old Second Division with a bottom but one placing and came back to to the old Third Division, now League 2 or Coca Cola League 2 for the first time since the 97-98 season. Because they came down they will naturally be one of the favourites for promotion back to the Second Division, League 1 or Coca Cola League 1 (this is doing my head in!!).
Can't see that really because on paper they look to have a very ordinary side. They lost last years leading scorer Paul Heffernan to Bristol City during the close season, he scored against us in the recent friendly but didn't really catch the eye.
They were also linked with former Harrier, Lee Ayres, so the management there must have a screw loose somewhere. Or maybe they hadn't because he's now gone to Burton Albion.
Saturday they played newly promoted Chester City and got a draw against them after some Brockie type flapping from their second string keeper, Mildenhall, led to the City goal. Today the Magpies manager, Gary Mills, bought in a keeper from Aston Villa, Wayne Henderson, on a three month loan.
The Chester game was played without Stefan Oakes (groin), Sean Deeney (shoulder) and Chris Palmer (ankle) so they won't be playing against us.
We came through unscathed against Rushden and after that solid performance we will be looking forward to the visit of the Magpies. I think we're almost certain to see a less defensive line-up with either Rickards or Foster starting.
The defence may see Keates coming back into the reckoning but I don't know who would make way for him, probably Advice.
I'm pretty confident that we'll get a result from this game. Hope it's all three points.
Teams
Harriers from:
Danby, D Lewis, Burton, Sall, Viveash, Hatswell, Mellon, McHale, Advice-Desruisseaux, Jenkins, Appleby, Keates, Diop, Christiansen, Gleeson, Brown, Rickards, Foster, Russell.
Notts County from:
Henderson, Mildenhall, Pipe, Richardson, Edwards, Whitlow, Gill, Baudet, Gordon, Hurst, Scully, Bolland, Williams, Scoffham, Ullathorne, Harrad, Friars, Wilson, McFaul, Commons
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