On Tuesday evening we beat off a tough challenge for the points from Halifax with a wonder strike from Ben Whitfield. It was enough to give us the game but it could have been more convincing if Elton N'Gwatala had tucked away his penalty. Debut boy Dan Sweeney had been bought down in the area following a fine surge into the box but Elton was too cautious with the kick with the Halifax keeper gathering it easily and gratefully.
We now have a slightly tougher task with Barrow now that their fortunes have improved following the appointment of Paul Cox as manager in November. They have just seen a ten game unbeaten run come to an end with defeat at Eastleigh last Tuesday taking them from the edge of relegation to comparative safety in thirteenth place.
They have two injuries to contend with. Centre-half Steve Williams was withdrawn from the bench less than thirty minutes before their game at home to Macclesfield last Saturday. He is thought to have an Achilles injury and will probably miss the remainder of the season while Ritchie Sutton will also be out for the remaining games with a torn hamstring.
They have one former Harrier playing for them. Danny Pilkington was with us for the 2012-13 season but never really convinced and was released to join Hereford at the end of the season.
We have just the one injury with Arthur Gnahoua out with an ankle injury still while Luke Maxwell has now left us after being re-called early by Birmingham City. He now becomes a full time Bluenose and our best wishes go with him.
Making his debut for us against Halifax was Dan Sweeney following his last minute recall from Halesowen Town. He came on during the second half for Gurjit Singh and the difference was there for all to see with him actually looking to go for goal and not be afraid of his own shadow.
I think if we can keep up the spirit in the camp and also re-produce some of that football from Tuesday then we should have a very good chance of a result tomorrow. Who knows what the last two games will bring. A miracle?
Teams:
Harriers from:
Snedker, Brown, Hodgkiss, Lowe, Langmead, T Williams, Fané, Francis-Angol, Tunnicliffe, Jones, Whitfield, McQuilkin, Sweeney, N'Gwatala, Kinsella, Singh, Taylor, Patrick, Garnett.
Barrow from:
Dixon, Eccles, Cowperthwaite, Ashton, Lacey, Livesey, Grand, Haworth, Harvey, Walker, Cook, Donohue, Pilkington, Tomlinson, Mellor, Fofana, Grimes, Abbott, A Newby, E Newby, Carroll, Symington, Parry, Wilmer-Anderton, J Williams.
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