Match preview Vs Newport County

On the eve of this crucial game against Newport County the Harriers had to accept that we would have to do without Marvin Johnson (left) for the next six weeks at least.  He damaged his big toe in the late win at Tamworth on Tuesday evening and the cause of that was almost certainly the dangerously hard, frozen pitch at the Lamb.

Since he broke back into the side some weeks ago we haven't looked back.  The more exciting attacking option he gave to the side was plain for all to see and the benefits reaped were four wins in a row against Telford, Alfreton, Wrexham and Tamworth.  We'll now have to either revert back to the 4-3-3 that didn't work or utilise Danny Pilkington and Ricky Shakes more.

Most fans would hope it'll be the latter.

Another player missing tomorrow will be Manny Panther.  For reasons known only to himself and Steve Burr his spell at Aggborough has been something of a surprising disappointment with only two substitute appearances, and solitary training, leading one to suspect something was not working.  He was released yesterday by mutual consent and the chance to find another club more suited to his requirements.

We'll have Keith Briggs and Callum Gittings back for tomorrows game against the League leaders after they missed out at Tamworth due to five yellow cards.  Jack Byrne is the only other player still missing, out injured.

Newport will be without long term injured Danny Crow and that's the only injury they have.  He's been out for a while now with a torn hamstring but the Newport management team hope he'll be able to return over the Christmas period.

County now have just the one former Harrier playing for them.  A few seasons back it seemed that at least half the team had played at Aggborough previously but now just Ryan Charles remains and his days are numbered.  He's been told that he can leave in the New Year.

If your memory is failing you it may be that the corresponding game last season might have been forgotten so here's a reminder of how Nick Wright came on as a substitute in the final twenty minutes of the game and turned the game on its head with three quickfire goals that left Newport reeling.



Enjoy the game.




Harriers from:
Lewis, N Vaughan, L Vaughan, Williams, Dunkley, Demetriou, Gowling, Shakes, Storer, Vincent, Briggs, Pilkington, Guinan, Malbon, Matt, Gittings, Rowe, Blissett.

Newport County from:
Julian, Perry, Pidgeley, Swan, Pipe, Porter, Hughes, James, Yakubu, O'Connor, Minshull, Charles, Swallow, Sandell, Thomson, Harris, Evans, Flynn, Smith, Anthony, Jolley, Washington.

Talk about the game here

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