Style of play, danger man, season expectations… This is our new feature where we’ll be hearing from opposition fans and getting the lowdown on what to expect from our opposite number on a match-day.
This week we spoke to Kidderminster Harriers’ very own stadium announcer, Scott Jones, who will be attending the MBi Shay on Saturday. A massive Kiddy supporter, Jones says: “(Kidderminster) is in the blood, it feels weird not to be at a game.”
The reigning Harriers’ club-man of the year toldwww.fcht.co.ukthat Kidderminster ‘were going into the unknown’ this season after being relegated from the National League in April: “For us, this is a new league, most of the fans haven’t seen us here before. We didn’t know what to expect, especially after what happened last season.
“So far I’m impressed with the way we’ve been playing, there’s a few games where we’ve had a few slip ups but that’s football. Overall, I’m pleased so far.”
One instrumental change that’s occurred is the managerial switch at Aggborough, former Stoke, Watford and Derby midfielder John Eustace took the managerial reigns following their relegation. Meanwhile, the vastly experienced Matt Gardiner left his post at Worcester City to become Head of Coaching under Eustace.
“With the new manager in John Eustace and his assistant Matt Gardner, it’s obviously been a good start to the season. In their first game, we started off with a 6-1 win.
“I think it’s just the whole attitude within the club now, the players seem to be enjoying their football a lot more. It’s different to how we’ve played before.”
Jones is most impressed with the professional influence that Eustace has had on his dressing room, putting his knowledge of the professional game down to their change in fortune: “You can see that there’s a few touches that he brings that you haven’t seen before, things that you get from playing in a higher league. It’s always good to have somebody coming down with that knowledge.”
With that said, the FC Halifax Town fans can expect to see a very well-oiled outfit arrive at the MBi Shay on Saturday: “I think it’ll be a good battle between the two sides and I’ll definitely be there to see it.”
“(The fans can should be expecting) some good football, Kidderminster are looking really strong when attacking now, there’s some attractive football being played by both sides and hopefully there’ll be a few goals.”
When asked about the Harriers’ danger man, Jones warned FC Halifax fans of former PSG youngster and FC Chamble midfielder Elton Ngwatala. The Frenchman has “proved to be an extremely active threat for most teams” since his arrival in January of this year.
Despite expecting goals from two fluid attacking teams on Saturday, Jones has predicted a 0-1 win for Kiddy and expects a ‘battle’ to retain that fourth spot in the National League North.
Whatever the outcome, it’s fair to expect a strong and well organised Kiddy side in Halifax on Saturday afternoon. John Eustace has clearly got fans onside at Aggborough, but it’s up to Billy Heath and the lads to strengthen their position in the top six.
Listen to Town’s play-off position battle with Kidderminster Harriers live on the Shaymen Player HD from 2.15pm on Saturday afternoon.
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