You would have thought that after they got relegated from the Conference for one season in 2013 that they would have learnt from their mistakes when they got promoted back again a season later. They knew what was needed to survive at this level but blatantly dis-regarded that with poor management and playing squad decisions. Their fans deserved that at least.
Saying that we seem to be hurtling into a similar situation too but that's the fans fault.
Fifty plus Harriers fans are walking to the game, starting earlier today, and they'll be arriving at the Bucks Head later on this evening as Fifty Shades of Mud because they're taking the river route. It's all in aid of a charity that helps families who have lost a child at birth. If you have yet to donate then the link for their Just Giving page is here.
On to things of lesser importance, the game itself. Following on from that rare win, for us, at home to Braintree last Saturday the Reds will be hoping to make it two wins in a row. Goals from Danny Wright (2) and Lee Hughes gave us the points but that was in the first half. In the second half Braintree came back at us with a goal but couldn't add to that and we looked frail for the remainder of the game.
With so many new faces in the re-arranged side, following the departure of Josh Gowling to Grimsby, we seemed a little unsure at times but of the new lads Nathaniel Kelly looked solid in place of Gowling and could develop nicely for next season.
The only problem we have in the camp is the missing wage packets once again. After being promised by the board room 'fly by nights' that the non payment of February would not happen again it appears that they lied through their teeth once more and are now relying on Bristol Rovers fans to bail them out of the hole they have dug for themselves. Don't be surprised if no one looks interested in playing tomorrow.
We have a couple of injuries to cope with. Jack Byrne seems to have been rushed back too early last week after missing a couple of games with a hamstring injury. Now just one game and he's crocked again. Craig Reid hasn't recovered from the bruising to the ribs that he got in a car accident a few weeks back.
Telford got a brilliant win at Braintree in front of the TV cameras a few weeks back but threw the good work away when the lost at Dover a couple of days later. Their previous win came at Torquay in the beginning of March so they can put a result together when they try.
Telfords injuries are both long term ones. Defender Steve Akrigg has suffered damage to both his medial collateral ligament and his anterior cruciate ligament in their 2-1 home defeat to Welling last December and has undergone operations to get him back in time for next season. Midfielder Jack Rea is sidelined with a knee injury while defender Rod McDonald remains a doubt because of a recent broken nose. The only other doubt they have isn't an injury but a rebellion.
Last week at Dover midfielder Jordan Deacey refused to come off the bench and has since faced the wrath of manager Steve Kittrick with the warning that he may never play for the club again.
With this being a holiday weekend game, and also only up the road, I expect to see a good gathering of Harriers fans present. Wether we get all three points is another matter but I feel that Telford could feel there is no hope for them and we punish them accordingly. This is the Harriers though so we can never tell.
Teams:
Harriers from:
Lewis, Singh, Whitcombe, Hodgkiss, Green, Forsyth, Nicholson, Kelly, Sweeney, O'Keefe, Grimes, Millichamp, Fry, Maxwell, Asante, J Byrne, Obeng, Harrison, Digie, Boyle, Verma, Gittings, Hughes, Reffell, Wright, Spencer, Reid.
AFC Telford Utd from:
Hall, Montgomery, Sharps, N Byrne, Disney, Matthews, McDonald, Poku, Rea, Deacey, Ventre, Grogan, Clancy, Farrell, Dyer, Smith, Gray, Reid, Platt, Barnett.
Talk about the game here
Links to AFC Telford Utd websites here
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