Their game at home to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday was called off at the last minute because of a waterlogged pitch and so they have had the benefit of a free weekend to re-charge the batteries after a run of poor results. Before winning at Mansfield last Tuesday they went on a run of seven games without a win starting on February 16th.The lack of decent results recently could be put down to the poor form of their star striker Richard Brodie. The seventeen goal hitman has picked up almost as many bookings and red cards this season (11 yellows and 1 red) but has failed to score since he scored twice against Hayes way back in mid January. He's overdue another goal soon and knowing our luck it would probably happen tomorrow.
City did have three former Harriers turning out for them but Andy Ferrell (right), Craig Nelthorpe and Simon Russell have been sent out on loan to Gateshead, Luton and Cambridge Utd respectively. Ferrell could return at the end of the season but it's seeming very likely that Nelthorpe and Russell will sign for their loan clubs permanently next season.
They have a couple of injuries with Alex Lawless (hamstring) and Chris Carruthers (ankle) both back in training but not quite fit enough to play just yet. Levi Mackin should have been back for the game after finishing a two match ban after Saturdays Wimbledon game but seeing that game didn't go ahead he'll miss out tomorrow instead.
Now that we have to re-group following our Trophy exit we can now concentrate on getting the best League placing possible. The good news is that David McDermott is now back from loan at Halesowen Town and raring to get back into first team contention. He has missed a big chunk of the season so far after being admitted to hospital with a mysterious stomach complaint before Steve Burr arrived at the club. That complaint turned out to be Ulceric Colitis and was eventually cured enough for him to rebuild his career.
John Finnigan will still be missing with a calf injury but is now back in training and should be back with us in time for the visit of Salisbury next Saturday. Gavin Caines missed out on the Stevenage game following a minor injury last week but was ok enough to make to bench for the game without actually coming on.
He should be available to reclaim his place against City but will have to dislodge Tom Sharpe first following his two solid displays at centre half.
This is an important game for both sides. For City they need to win to keep their claim for a play off place on track but for us a win would mean an end to this mini run of draws and defeats. We have failed to win a game since Ebbsfleet on March 2nd, a game that saw the start of the manager of the month curse that had been laid on Steve Burr by Blue Square.
It's time to lift the curse.
Photo © HUFC
Teams:
Harriers from:
Singh, Atkins, Baker, Riley, Bignot, Courtney, Sharpe, Byrne, Knights, Hadley, McPhee, Bennett, Hayward, Caines, Smikle, Lawrie, Goodfellow, Boyes, McDermott, Matthews.
York City from:
Ingham, Miotto, Mimms, Harsley, Purkiss, Meredith, McGurk, Parslow, Smith, Gash, Pacquette, Barrett, Rankine, Brodie, Sangare, Clarke, Graham, Gall, Pitt.
Links to York City websites here
Directions to Kidderminster
here
Find Pubs around Kidderminster here
Find Hotels around Kidderminster here
Have a flutter on this game here: Free £20 Bet with Blue Square
