As is our wont this season we let teams dominate us in the first half then come out for the second half, following a kick up the backsides, with all guns blazing. It took an Anthony Malbon goal half way through the second period in reply to a goal from a former Harrier, Dan Bradley, in the first half. Since joining Alfreton during the close season our former midfielder has become their leading scorer with seven goals and most of them seemingly penalties.In that recent game Bradley was given far too much space to allow him to score and this time out our defenders will have to be far sharper if we intend to stop him scoring against us again.
Following last Saturdays incredible result, and equally incredible scenes, at Telford we should really be up for this game. Just as long as Steve Burr and Gary Whild go with the same formation and team selection for the second week running. That 4-4-2 worked well in providing the Harriers travelling army with a footballing treat the like of which hadn't been seen since the Molby era, part one.
The game also saw the return of Jamille Matt to the side and from the warm up to the time he came on during the second half there was an air of expectancy that culminated in his classy forward pass for Ryan Rowe to run on to and score our clinching goal. Now that Matts residency problems are over we can now look forwards to more games for him, to get him match fit and sharpen him up, and maybe a goal or too.
We do have slight injury problems with Callum Gittings and Danny Pilkington - both had superb games at Telford - but they should respond to treatment and be ok to play. Danny Lewis (above right) will be hoping that he'll continue his run in goal during Nathan Vaughans absence but Nathan should be getting the all clear with his cut ankle very soon so we might be seeing a battle for the gloves.
Our hosts played in the week at Hyde and came back with injuries to two important players for them. Lee Franks was stretchered off with a suspected fracture to his ankle but has since been told it's just bad bruising. Whatever it is he won't be fit for tomorrow.
The second injury was to the other central defender, Ross Killock, who received an un-intentional elbow in the mouth and lost a tooth and had two more pushed back into his gum. Killock, on loan from Leeds Utd, has now been sent back to his club and Alfreton have bought in two other defenders.
Danny Emerton has come in on loan from Championship side Hull City until the end of the year while another ex-Hull midfielder, Gavan Holohan, has signed terms for the club after being without a club since August.
This is a Cup that the Harriers have traditionally done well in and even though Alfreton is something of a tough draw then so was Grimsby in the FA Cup. Now look what happened there?
If we can play like we did on Saturday at Telford I fully expect the Harriers to be too strong for Alfreton to cope with. Just as long as we can cope with Bradley.
Photo © KHFC
Teams:
Harriers from:
Lewis, N Vaughan, L Vaughan, Williams, Dunkley, Demetriou, Gowling, Shakes, Storer, Panther, Vincent, Briggs, Pilkington, Guinan, Johnson, Malbon, Peniket, Matt, Gittings, Rowe, Blissett.
Alfreton Town from:
Stewart, Barnes, Franklin, Kempson, Tomlinson, Streete, Russell, Taylor, Worsfold, Quinn, Emerton, Arnold, Bradley, Holohan, Brown, Clayton, Law, Meadows, Harriott.
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