Marcus looks ahead to the trip to Aggborough
After the series of pre-season friendly games at the Greenhous Meadow, Mickey Mellon and his team are on the road with a visit to Worcestershire to play Kidderminster Harriers of the Conference Premier League. Harriers have been in the conference since 2005 when they were relegated from League 2. It followed a period of five seasons spent in the Football League, Worcestershire’s only football club to ever play in the top four divisions. In the last four seasons, Kidderminster have not finished outside the top seven and in the 2012/13 season they lost out to Wrexham in the play-off semi finals after finishing in second place. Last season they were again contenders at the top, finishing an agonising two points from the play-offs.The Manager
Gary Whild has been part of the Kidderminster set-up since first taking a post as Assistant Manager in 2010. But it wasn't until the latter part of last season the Whild took the top job when Steve Burr replacement Andy Thorne left the club after a run of poor form. In his 13 games in charge so far, Harriers have only lost once but one too many draws saw them miss out on a play-off spot. Despite missing out, Kiddy offered Whild the post full time on a one year rolling contract.
Ones to Watch
Following the loss of last season’s top-scorer Anthony Malbon to Stalybridge, Michael Gash is last season’s highest remaining goalscorer. Gash arrived at Aggborough in March 2013 on loan from Braintree, but was signed permanently after scoring six times in eleven games. His previous clubs include Cambridge United, Cambridge City, Rushden, Ebbsfleet and York City and his first team career has seen him score 70 goals in 264 games. Having had a look at some of his goals, it's clear to see that he has a talent for scoring from distance but is also happy to knock them in from a couple of yards too.
Another one to watch will be Jaz Singh, the ex-Shrewsbury Town youth goalkeeper. Jaz played for Harriers during the 2009/10 season after leaving Shrewsbury. The 24 year old made 7 appearances for the Carpetmen that season but left for Solihull Moors at the end of the season. After four seasons with Moors, Singh has re-signed for harriers to replace Nathan Vaughan who left at the end of last season.
Ticket Prices
Prices are Adults £8, Concessions £4, Under 5 FREE - pay on the day at Aggborough
Pre-season Form
Littleton 2-0 Kidderminster Harriers
Solihull Moors 1-1 Kidderminster Harriers
Stratford 1-1 Kidderminster Harriers
Stourbridge 1-1 Kidderminster Harriers
Hednesford 0-0 Kidderminster Harriers
Stourport Swifts 0-4 Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers 0-3 Birmingham City
Prediction
If pre-season form is anything to go by we should win this game but as we have a little history as almost local rivals, we may find things challenging. Both teams warm up campaigns are well under way so both teams are approaching match fitness which should make for a more competitive game. Results are relatively unimportant before the season commences but at the same time, fans always like to see their team win and from the games I've managed to get to, we look to be passing the ball around well and using the flanks to good effect. With all of this in mind I will go for a 1-3 win for Shrewsbury Town!
COYB!!!
Marcus Braddock