Match Preview | Oxford City v Kidderminster Harriers
Top of the table come to town.
Oxford City begin their run of five home games in a row with the league leaders, Kidderminster Harriers travelling to the MGroup Stadium on Saturday in the Vanarama National League North.
Last time out, Kidderminster took all the spoils as they won 4-0, but after City had to settle for a point away to Chorley in midweek the mood is very much that they can get all three points from the game.
So far this season, Kidderminster have been rock-solid at the back. They’ve conceded four goals in their last eight games and have the second-best defensive record in the league only conceding 20 in the 26 games this season, bettered only by Curzon Ashton (19 in 24).
Kidderminster play a similar system to the Hoops and are expecting a tough man-to-man battle. City will be looking to get on the scoresheet after a brief dry spell in 2025. City finished 2024 having scored in 23 consecutive games, a run which began immediately after the first game against Kidderminster.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v Kidderminster Harriers
The MGroup Stadium – Saturday 25th January – 3:00pm
Vanarama National League North
Referee: Jacob Viera | Assitant Referees: Harry Price & Steven Rea | Fourth Official: Neil Templey
FORM
OXFORD CITY - W W L W D
The only blemish in City’s recent form is the 3-0 loss to Brackley. The point against Chorley, which deserved to be three just highlights how far this City side has come this season.
Impressive wins over Rushall, Spennymoor and Farsley shows the potency of this City attack and back-to-back clean sheets for Kai McKenzie-Lyle proves the improvements at both ends of the pitch.
The City home form is on the mend, with two of the three wins at the MGroup Stadium coming in the last five home games, a promising sign given the run of five consecutive games at home.
KIDDERMINSTER - L W W W L
Frustrating 1-0 losses against Darlington and Rushall have denied the Harriers a perfect run of 10 wins in a row as they have marched up the table.
They’ve been very good defensively and only conceded three goals during the whole of October.
The Harriers are looking to make it four away wins in a row in the National League North after wins against Radcliffe, Hereford and Scarborough.
It will be a tightly contested battle and Kidderminster have conceded 14 of their 20 goals away from home this season.
THE MANAGER - Phil Brown
As a player, Brown made over 600 appearances during his eighteen-year career, which took him to Hartlepool, Halifax, Bolton and Blackpool.
His first managerial role came as assistant to Sam Allardyce at Blackpool, before returning to Bolton where he eventually became caretaker manager, only to be replaced by Allardyce.
Brown is most well-known for his stint at Hull City where after saving them from relegation, went on to take them to the Premier League. He won manager of the month for wins against Arsenal, Tottenham and West Brom in September.
Brown built a famous reputation after he conducted his half-time team talk in front of his travelling supporters following a disastrous first-half against Man City. His side eventually lost the game 5-1 leading to the Jimmy Bullard ‘celebration’
ONE TO WATCH - Ashley Hemmings
Hemmings began his career at Wolves, he joined the club as a 9-year-old and signed his first professional contract aged 17. He was a member of the Wolves side which won the Championship and went to the Premier League.
Since then, he has only really settled at three clubs, Walsall, Dagenham and Redbridge and Kidderminster. He made 56 appearances for Walsall, 80 for Dagenham and Redbridge but has really found his feet at Kidderminster.
He’s played 201 times for the Harriers and scored 73 goals with 42 assists to go with them. The 33-year-old midfield is certainly going to look to cause City problems in midfield.
HOW TO FOLLOW
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