Match preview Vs York City

It's a big welcome back to everyone on the eve of the new season and this time we start away from home at York City.  City came very close to being promoted last season but lost out in the play-off final at Wembley to Oxford Utd who then took their place in the Football League along with the champions, Stevenage Borough.

Both teams will be fielding new look sides but it's us that will be the more unrecognisable with just five players remaining from last seasons squad.  Two of that squad are now with City and it'll be an early chance for Duane Courtney (if fit) and David McDermott to compete against their former club.

One member of our new team won't be available for selection because Lee Vaughan is having to sit out the first four games due to a collection of red cards picked up while he was at AFC Telford last season.  He'll hope to be making his first start at Newport County towards the end of August.

Duane Courtney (right) is the only real doubt for City having struggled all pre-season with a knee injury.  He's back in training but whether he plays or not will be decided on the day.  City have also just sent out Andy McWilliams on loan to Steve Burrs old side Stalybridge Celtic until the end of December.

We have just two injury worries and both were picked up in our final friendly at Hednesford last Saturday.  John Finnigan is the most unlikely to play after twisting his knee and Tom Sharpe had to leave the field after getting a slight pull in the back of his leg.

This is going to be a tough baptism for many of our team and without the old head of Finnigan the game may pass them by.  It's up to the other experienced players like Mike Williams and Keith Briggs to help them along.

Don't forget that most of our side were coming up against local lower league sides last season whereas tomorrow they'll be up against a team that could have been playing at an even higher level this season.




Harriers from:
Lewis, Stevens, Vaughan, Williams, Sharpe, Albrighton, Griffiths, Finnigan, Byrne, Shaw, Briscoe, McPhee, Briggs, Hankin, Morris, Wright, Blair, Gittings, Hadley.

York from:
Knight, Ingham, Courtney, Meredith, Smith, McGurk, Parslow, Lawless, Till, Gash, Purcell, Carruthers, Sangare, Barrett, Rankine, Brodie, Mackin, Young, McDermott, Emmerson.

Links to York City websites here
Directions to York here
Find Pubs around Kidderminster here
Find Hotels around York here
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