The Harriers will waste no time getting back into action following their thrilling draw at York City on Saturday with another trip North to face a relegation haunted Altrincham.

Mark Yates suspension depleted side almost pulled off one of the shocks of the day after going 2-0 up within the first thirty minutes of the game but found that in form City were too good to stop.    Goals from Michael McGrath and Iyseden Christie were cancelled out by Onome Sodje and Craig Ferrell before the half was out but we could have gone on to pinch it in the final minute of the game when Brian Smikle's shot whistled just wide of the post.

We now look forward to a full roll call of players with James Constable, Justin Richards, Andy Ferrell and Russ Penn available again after their enforced one game rest.  I expect Constable to start in place of Matt Barnes-Homer with Christie retaining his place in favour of Justin Richards.

For the other two there will be a battle between one of them and Dean Bennett, back at Aggborough for the third time, for the midfield places.  I expect Ferrell to drop to the bench along with Paul Bignot as Jeff Kenna returns to his usual full back position following his successful role as a sweeper at York.

The only injury doubt could be Mark Creighton after he had an elbow into his face at the end of the York game and was refused permission by the officials to return to the pitch because of the severity of his injury.  Expect the man mountain to shrug it off as a mere scratch though.

Altrincham have already been busy in the transfer market trying to save their season from collapse and have bought in the Halifax Town defender Greg Young permanently and his fellow team mate Ryan Toulson on loan.  In addition they have signed James Jennings (Macclesfield), Ryan Shotton (Stoke City) and Rotherham United duo Tom Cahill and Liam King on loan.

Former Harrier Jake Sedgemore now plays for them but has been on the bench over Christmas.  It's believed that the only injury they have is to veteran Val Owen - I remember him playing at Aggborough back in the mid nineties - and he'll be out with a long term foot injury.  Could be gout then!!

I expect the Harriers to bring back three points from this game but at the same time I don't expect Alty to roll over for us.  They're now fighting for their lives and the fresh influx of players should give them fresh hope.





Harriers from:
Bevan, Coleman, Harkness, Kenna, Bignot, Creighton, Bennett, Whitehead, McGrath, Ferrell, Hurren, Russell, Penn, Richards, Blackwood, Barnes-Homer, Smikle, Christie, Constable.

Altrincham from:
Coburn, Acton, Jennings, King, Shotton, Toulson, Cahill, Aspinall, Scott, Munroe, Tinson, Sedgemore, Lawton, Owen, Little, Young, Peyton, O'Neill, Bailey, Lane, Potts, McFadden, Senior, Browne, Logan.

For earlier results against Altrincham look here on Statto's Harriers site