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 Oxford City vs Kidderminster Harriers

Vanarama National League

The RAW Charging Stadium   Saturday 25th November, 15:00

Match Sponsors: GET Support IT Services

Referee: Aji Ajibola   Assistants: Ryan Saward & Lewis Mansfield-King  Fourth Official: Samuel Olhausen

RECENT FORM

Oxford City - L L W W L

Two back-to-back victories for the Hoops have completely changed the teams outlook in the league, however, Tuesday evening's defeat at York has seen City slip back into the bottom four.

The wins in question, came at home to Woking (3-2) & away at Ebbsfleet United (4-0) and the manner of the victories were perhaps more pleasing to Manager Ross Jenkins than the result itself. Two dominant victories.

As alluded to, the 2-0 defeat at York was a night to forget, as City simply didn't seem to shake off the rustiness of the long journey. Whereas before the recent wins they were beaten by Barnet & Wealdstone.

A win on Saturday would mean that the Hoops would have taken 9 points out of a possible 15. However, with games coming up against Maidenhead United & Boreham Wood, it will be crucial that they keep their momentum going in the league.

Kidderminster Harriers - L L L L D

It's not been a pretty start to life in the National League for the National League North Promotion Final Winners.

Whilst City were busy celebrating their dominant 4-0 victory over St Albans in the South final, Saturday's visitors were 2-0 victors up the road in Brackley.

Since then, Russ Penn's side have won the fewest games in the division (3) and sit rock bottom with fifteen points.

However, when you dive deeper into the season, there's more to Saturday's opponents than meets the eye. Harriers have only conceded 27 goals in the campaign so far - a stat that gives them the eighth best record in the division, with just one more goal conceded than run-away leaders Chesterfield.

Furthermore, their three wins have been in games against York City, Dorking & Wealdstone. Two of those wins were away too, proving that Harriers have what it takes to pick up points in this league - especially on occasions like Saturday.

The sticking point... Just 13 goals scored in the league - just 8 if you don't consider Amari Morgan-Smith's tally. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's gone wrong.

However, if Harriers can sort out their problems in front of goal - they'll have every chance of surviving this season.

THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS

"We were obviously disappointed from the York result, so we're looking forward to seeing a reaction in a run of fixtures we're all looking forward to.

"There's a lot of points at stake.

"They're (Kidderminster) are hard-working, honest and able to score goals. They've ground out a good result against Hartlepool, so they can do that side of the game well too.

"So, we've got to make sure that we respect them, but as soon as that whistle goes we need to play our football. The boys are keen to get going and put things right after an average performance at York."

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?

This will be the fourth meeting between the two clubs. Despite playing in the same level of football, the North/South division of step 2 football previously separated the clubs. Furthermore, when City did ply their trade in the NLN, Kidderminster were flying high in the National League.

The last meeting between the two clubs came back in the 1978/79 season.

THE MANAGER - Russell Penn

Penn was a seasoned pro in his playing days. He made his name with Kidderminster, where he made just shy of 150 appearances between 2005 & 2009.

He then went on to make over 100 appearances for York City & Cheltenham Town as he went on to be renowned a one of the EFL's most reliable midfielders.

He went on to play for the likes of Carlisle, Gateshead, Wrexham (& York again) before returning to Kidderminster before retirement.

He spent a brief two-game spell in interim charge of Harriers after hanging up his boots before Jimmy Shan took charge. However, when Shan departed for Solihull Moors in 2020 he stepped up to the plate permanently.

From then on in, Kidderminster never looked back. He won multiple NLN Manager of the Month awards and guided Harriers to the FA Cup Third Round, beating Championship side Reading on their way to a Fourth Round glamour tie at home to West Ham United.

Even then, he almost led Kidderminster to one of the competition's greatest ever shocks with a Fourth Round win over the Hammers. However a 91st minute equaliser from Declan Rice took the game to extra-time, before Jarred Bowen spared the Iron's blushes.

Last season, a win of six consecutive wins meant that Harriers snuck into the National League North Play-Off places on the final day. Then, after wins over Alfreton Town, Kings Lynn & Brackley secured Penn's first promotion of his career.

HOW TO FOLLOW

TICKETS:

Buy your tickets for the game by clicking HERE!

FOLLOW THE ACTION:

Stay tuned to our official Twitter page for all the build-up, regular updates and post-match action.

LIVE STREAM:

This game will be available for streaming internationally via National League TV. You can buy a match pass by clicking HERE!

Remember to choose Oxford City as your favourite team!

AUDIO/RADIO COMMENTARY:

Can't make it to the match? BBC Radio Oxford will be providing full commentary of our match online.

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Click HERE to head to the BBC's non-league commentary page where you'll be able to tune in at around 14:50. Or simply tune into BBC Radio Oxford on BBC Sounds.