This seasons Christmas double header sees us given what some bureaucrat at the FA think is a local derby for both ourselves and Altrincham, a town situated not far from Manchester.    We were told it was because the police wanted crowd control kept to a minimum but in the same breath allow Hereford a game at Forest Green, York v Scarborough, Southport v Morecambe and Tamworth v Burton Albion among others.

I can't see many Alty fans travelling down the M6 on a Boxing Day and think that the crowd at Aggborough will be one of the lowest on the day.    Teams that normally get low crowds like FGR and Tamworth will see attendances soar because of the excitement that a local derby brings and for some fans it's one of the few occasions that they get to travel to an away game to follow their team.

Following our mid week victory over Bradford City in the LDV Trophy we have a few knocks and bruises but nothing that a bit of turkey and mince pies won't cure.    Simon Russell is back in training following his fractured wrist but won't be available to play and Laurie Wilson has a foot injury.

Iyseden Christie seems to have shaken off his neck injury so we should be looking at an unchanged side that takes to the field on the 26th,


Altrincham, sitting just below us in the table, will be without old timer Val Owen who has a groin injury and loan signing Steve Bushell is doubtful.


I expect this to be an easy victory for us and to keep our un-beaten run going for a little bit longer.


Harriers from:
Danby, Lewis, Hatswell, Burgess, Flynn, Mullins, Ludlow, Jackson, O'Connor, Fleming, McHale, Graves, Heslop, Hurren, Penn, Christie, Atieno, Hollis, Sheldon, Butler, Blackwood, Thompson.

Altrincham from:
Acton, Coburn, Adams, Aspinall, Band, Maddox, Munroe, Talbot, Bushell, Chalmers, Hussin, McKenzie, Murphy, Norris, Peyton, Potts, Robinson, Rose, Scott, Hendley, Little, Lugsden, McFadden, Thornley.