The draw for the Semi Finals of the FA Trophy was made at lunchtime today and the Harriers reward for beating Halifax on Saturday is a two legged tie against Northwich Victoria. With all four clubs left in the tournament being Conference National clubs it's probably the highest profile Trophy for many years.
In the other draw Grays drew Stevenage and will play the first game at home while in our draw we were first out of the hat and so the first leg will be played at Aggborough. The dates for these games are March 10th and then a week later on March 17th.
Our opponents, Northwich beat Gravesend 3-0 on Saturday while we were seeing off Halifax 3-1. Stevenage put paid to Conference South side Salisbury City 3-0 and on Sunday Grays beat Welling, also of the Conference South, 4-1.
Out of the four sides Stevenage have never reached the final of the Trophy but their opponents in the next round will be looking for the hat trick of wins after beating Hucknall at Villa Park in 2005 and then repeating that against Woking last season. The game was played at Upton Park.
Northwich have been finalists three times but winning just the once in 1984 when they took Bangor City to a replay. Their other finals were against Telford in 1983 and then against their neighbours Macclesfield in 1996.
As for the Harriers we have also appeared in three finals with the first coming in front of a record crowd for the competition. 34,842 crowded? into Wembley in 1991 for the game against Wycombe Wanderers that we lost 2-1.
In 1987 we beat Burton Albion 2-1 at the Hawthorns after drawing the Wembley game 0-0 and then in 1995 we were on the losing side to Woking at Wembley. Paul Davies scored our consolation goal in a 2-1 defeat.
It's not known yet where this seasons final will be held - some are hoping at the new Wembley but I find that extremely doubtful. Wherever it is played it will be on May 12th.