Match Preview | Kidderminster Harriers vs Oxford City
City travel to in-form Harriers in the Vanarama National League.
Two teams that earned a place at Step 1 via the play-offs last season lock horns at Aggborough, as Kidderminster Harriers look to extend their impressive winning run over a re-vitalised Oxford City.
The previous clash between the two sides was a tightly-contested match in which the hosts came from two-goals behind to secure a big point on the road.
However, since that meeting in November, the two team's seasons have drastically changed.
Since that point, the Hoops have gone on to win two matches in eight games. However, an impressive win over fellow strugglers Ebbsfleet United on Saturday was perhaps exactly what Ross Jenkins' men deserved after a spell of torrid luck.
Kidderminster have since parted company with now Ex-Manager Russ Penn, and Phil Brown has made an instant impact at the helm.
The former Premier League Manager has led 'Kiddy' to three wins in a row, which has hauled Harriers back into survival contention. If they can secure a fourth straight victory over City on Saturday, they could climb out of the relegation zone all together!
Although, City will be wanting to burst the Kidderminster bubble with three points of their own. IF the Hoops can snatch all three points themselves, then they'll leapfrog Saturday's opponents.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Kidderminster Harriers vs Oxford City
Vanarama National League
Aggborough Stadium | Saturday 3rd February, 15:00
Referee: Gary Parsons Assistants: Luis Martin & Ryan McIlravey Fourth Official: Matthew Jackson
RECENT FORM
Oxford City - W L L L W
One win can completely change the perception around a club!
Going into last weekend's set of fixtures, the Hoops had picked up points in just one match out of their last seven (a 2-0 win away at Dorking Wanderers on Boxing Day).
Since Saturday's 1-0 win against Ebbsfleet, the look of the league table certainly looks more positive. However, there's still work to do for Ross Jenkins and his side.
Although luck hasn't been shining on City, they've never been 'down and out' of any match. The last time the team were beaten by at least two clear goals was back in early December, but the task is to now to string consistent victories together, after two barren spells in the league.
Kidderminster Harriers - L L W W W
Who would've thought that Kidderminster would be one of the form teams coming into this fixture a few weeks ago?
However, since Phil Brown has taken the helm at Aggborough, Kidderminster's perception has changed from relegation fodder to a team that has every chance of survival.
Furthermore, Brown hasn't lost a match yet as Kidderminster Manager. A 0-0 draw with Altrincham in the FA Trophy (which they went on to win on penalties) was a solid start to his tenure.
Moreover, impressive wins over Aldershot (4-2), Hartlepool (0-1) & Dagenham & Redbridge have catapulted Harriers up the table and revived the atmosphere around Aggborough.
To put their recent run into perspective, before Brown was appointed, Kidderminster had won just four games in the 23/24 campaign. Win tomorrow and he'll have equalled that record in exactly four matches...
ONE TO WATCH - Amari Morgan-Smith
A seasoned pro, 34-year-old Morgan-Smith could be key to the Harriers survival hopes. The striker is Kidderminster's top goalscorer with five goals - one of those being a superb header last time out against Hartlepool.
He signed for 'Kiddy' in 2020 and has since become a key cog in Harriers' side, but his career goes back far further than that.
He started his career with Crewe Alexandra's famed academy but moved away from Gresty Road to ply his trade with the likes of Ilkeston Town, Luton Town & Macclesfield Town before he linked up with Harriers for the first time.
He joined originally on loan but quickly made the move permanent before he made the jump to then-League One side Oldham Athletic.
He then moved back to Non-League football with Cheltenham Town, York City & Telford United and became a reliable force in front of goal.
He then moved to Alfreton Town before his second Kidderminster spell. Since, he's helped the club win promotion back to the fifth tier of the football pyramid and he'll now look to keep them there.
HAVE WE MET BEFORE?
The last time the two teams met was earlier in the campaign.
Andre Burley's first goal of the season followed by a superb strike from Fulham loanee Olly Sanderson gave City a two-goal lead. However, after Ashley Hemmings converted a controversial penalty for Kidderminster just before half-time, Amari Morgan-Smith secured a point for the visitors at the RAW Charging Stadium.
THE MANAGER - Phil Brown
As mentioned, Phil Brown is the man in the dugout at Aggborough.
Furthermore, he's a big name in the English game, having managed as high as the Premier League with Hull City, taking the side from the Championship to the top flight of English football.
Brown had a stint at Derby prior to taking the Hull job, and has since been in charge of Preston, Southend, Swindon, Hyderabad, Southend again, Barrow, and now Kidderminster. The former right back left Barrow following failure to agree a deal on a permanent basis, and Kidderminster is his first role in management since he left Barrow at the end of the 2021/22 season.
HOW TO FOLLOW
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LIVE COMMENTARY ON BBC SOUNDS
This match will have LIVE commentary on BBC Sounds curtesy of BBC Radio Oxford. Simply tune in to BBC Radio Oxford on the BBC Sounds app, or head to the non-league commentary page HERE.
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