In a moment reminiscent of the game at Forest Green last season, when Andy Mangan cut across in front of Riley and then dived to get him sent off, then yesterday was such a similar scenario that it was like watching Groundhog Day. This time the ball came over the top and with both players watching it their feet touched and Dale Johnson went tumbling down.The referee had already taken the red card from his pocket before he had even reached the scene and had no intention of putting it back before he had realised his mistake. The really galling thing is that he has an assistant out on the wing to confer with on matters like this but yesterday they didn't seem to be on speaking terms.
That sending off will mean that Riley will miss just the game tomorrow. Tamworth, on the otherhand, will be without Bradley Pritchard for three games after 'violent conduct' made him see red in their defeat at Barrow yesterday.
We could also be without the services of Matt Barnes-Homer after a collision with the Alty keeper forced his withdrawal mid way through the first half. That injury occurred when MBH scored our second goal but ended up catching Coburns knee on his thigh. Hopefully it'll only be a bit of bruising and he'll be back for tomorrow.
If MBH is out then it's to be hoped that Robbie Matthews will be fit after missing another game yesterday. He was expected to be on the bench at least but failed to even make the cut. If he doesn't make it again then it looks likely that we'll be having a depleted strike force with just Brian Smikle (two goals against Alty) and Chris McPhee leading the line.
Tom Sharpe should be in at the back to replace Martin Riley. He did very well when he came on in his place yesterday and looked to have an old head on young shoulders.
Tamworth are a side brimmed full with former Harriers. Michael Blackwood, Neil Mackenzie and Gavin Hurren should all be making an appearance against their old club tomorrow but Michael Wylde will be forced to sit the game out due to injury.
Also out for The Lambs, in addition to Wylde and Pritchard will be Dominic Langdon.
This is a game that we need to win, and win well. To keep our good run going and also to enable us to climb the table we need to be winning against this kind of side. Tamworth have started their return back to the Conference reasonably well but it won't and can't last.
A draw would be a good result but all three points will be better.
Photo © KHFC
Teams:
Harriers from:
Coleman, Singh, Baker, Courtney, Sharp, Farrell, Finnigan, Knights, Hadley, McDermott, McPhee, Bennett, Hayward, Caines, Costello, Barnes-Homer, Smikle, Dolman, Matthews.
Tamworth from:
Alcock, Belford, Tait, Blackwood, Smith, Mackenzie, Wright, Hurren, Nicholson, Rodman, Sheridan, Shaw, Lyttle, Briscoe, Mills, Bruce, Lake-Gaskin, Benjamin.
Links to Tamworth websites here
Directions to Tamworth
here
Find Pubs around Kidderminster here
Find Hotels around Tamworth here
Have a flutter on this game here: Free £20 Bet with Blue Square
