Kidderminster Preview

[Woody Wilson]

Team News

City were boosted in midweek with the young defensive duo of Leigh Wood and Stewart Wise returning from long term injuries to start in the Wednesday night game at Oxford. The former had spent a number of months out with an a shoulder injury caused by a bone growth behind the shoulder blade, creating a cancer scare.

The news is given added importance with player boss Chris Brass suspended ahead of the trip to Aggborough, so much needed cover is available in defensive rolls. City also have skipper Darren Edmondson struggling to make the travelling party with a re-occurrence of a troublesome calf injury sustained at the beginning of the season. Richard Hope also missed out on place in the squad through a hamstring injury and is also a major doubt for the game. Some good news in the defensive department however is the likely return of Chris Smith. Smith was named amongst the substitutes in the last match due to a knock picked up in training, however should be fit to take Brass's place at the weekend. With Sean Davies and Stewart Wise both having solid games, Davies in particular, the defence looks to be in good hands as some of the major players are out through injury and suspension.

Moving onto the midfield Boss Chris Bras has plenty of options with Johnjo Dickman making an impressive debut. It appears it was no coincidence he figured heavily in the game that saw City claim a draw away at a team placed significantly higher than them in the league whilst in such bad form. Mitch Ward, Lee Bullock, Christian Fox, Richard Cooper and Justin Walker are also all competing for places in a fiercely competitive midfield, however one person who will definitely miss out is Darren Dunning who serves the second of a 2 game ban for picking up 10 yellow cards. There is one doubt over Justin Walker however in the form of his loan contract. It was due to expire at the end of this week and it is yet to be confirmed whether he'll feature for the Minstermen. The return of Leigh Wood has also added spice to the midfield competition, however even though midfield is seen to be Woods preferred position, it is though he'll continue to deputise for the injured Darren Edmondson at right wing back after an impressive display at Oxford.

Finally onto the strikers and Andy Bell, signed on a non-contract basis from Wycombe, is set for his full debut at Kidderminster. Bell made his debut with a late substitute appearance at Oxford, and seems to be bursting to make an impression on both the City faithful and Chris Brass. Lee Nogan is an almost definite starter after being the lone striker on Wednesday night and Lev Yalcin is also in contention after only making the bench, however Brass is likely to put two upfront whilst away to a struggling Kidderminster side, with the toss up being between Yalcin and Bell. Lee Bullock is also a possible candidate, however it would be disappointing to see him start after his recent, ineffective performances upfront, and two other alternatives.

Possible line up – Ovendale; Merris, Wood; Smith, Hope, Davies; Dickman, Walker, Bullock; Nogan, Yalcin.


Kidderminster's main doubt for the visit of the Minstermen is skipper Wayne Hatswell who picked up a nasty head injury in the 5-0 defeat at Doncaster. Hatswell was admitted to hospital following a bout of concussion however was discharged later that night but still missed the following week's victory over Northampton.

Other doubts for boss Jan Molby are in the form of fellow defender Matthew Gadsby after he also picked up a stomach strain in the same defeat, however is likely to recover in time for the game after receiving intensive treatment through out the week from the Aggborough physio staff. However some good news for Molby is that Craig Hinton is to return after serving his one match ban.

The Harriers bounced back superbly in last weekends 2-1 home victory over Northampton after going down 5-0 the previous week, all of which implies the game is likely to be a close encounter. Jan Molby had fine words for his team after the win claiming "We deserved that, we needed a bit of luck after having very little last Friday at Doncaster, and although they're a good team they're not that good. I'm really proud of the lads, they've shown great character of and given something back to the fans who also deserve this win"


Form guide - City Hull(A) 1-2 L, Mansfield(H) 1-2 L, Lincoln(H) 1-4 L, Boston(A) 0-2 L, Oxford(A) 0-0 D

Kidderminster Cheltenham(H) 0-0 D, Southend(A) 0-3 L, Swansea(H) 2-0 W, Doncaster(A) 0-5 L, Northampton(H) 2-1 W


Related links:

YorkCityFC.com Prediction League

Kidderminster Harriers Official Site
Harriers Online
Jump-Jet Journal
Kidderminster Message Board

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