Match Preview: Kidderminster Harriers vs Worthing FC

Adam Hinshelwood’s side will be looking to respond following last weekend’s Emirates FA Cup exit to Wealdstone to continue their good start to life in the fifth tier.

Before a ball is kicked across the country, Worthing currently occupy fifth position – four points off second place Harrogate Town.

The last time the Rebels were on the wrong side of a result in the league was Bank Holiday Monday on August 31, as league leaders Boreham Wood won 3-2 in a close affair at Woodside Road.

Like the Reds, tomorrow’s opponents Kidderminster have also carried across the momentum of their promotion-winning campaign into this season and are inside the top half, although they have failed to triumph in any of their last five league outings.

Due to the encounter being chosen for live broadcast on DAZN, the match is scheduled to kick-off at 5:30pm at Aggborough.

Team News

Harry Ransom is set to face a period of time on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a fractured wrist.

The defender sustained the injury during our Sussex Transport Senior Cup win away to Three Bridges and has remained unavailable for selection ever since.

Ransom joins Noor Husin, Tyrique Clarke and Harrison Foulkes in the treatment room.

The Opposition

On their return to the top level of Non-League football, Kidderminster have proved they are not just in the division to make up the numbers.

Following a sobering 3-0 opening day defeat away to Hornchurch, the Harriers rallied and embarked on an eight-game unbeaten streak.

A slender home victory over Eastleigh and a point at Aggborough against Aldershot Town preceded a statement 3-1 away success over Southend United, as they came from behind to shock Roots Hall.

Victories over Wealdstone, Hartlepool United and Gateshead ensued before a goalless draw at Woking indicated the start of a dive in form.

Kidderminster couldn’t prevent high-flyers Yeovil and Boreham Wood from claiming all three points with stalemates against Sutton United and Carlisle United showing signs of improvement.

Paul Wotton and his players booked an FA Cup First Round Proper tie at home to Doncaster Rovers in a fortnight’s time courtesy of last weekend’s 2-1 triumph over Solihull Moors.

Their last time in the National League ended abruptly in the 2023/24 season, as they were instantly relegated after finishing seven points off safety.

The Gaffer 

After facing Worthing on two occasions in the National League South last season at Torquay United, Paul Wotton will now take on the Reds with a different set of players and surroundings.

Following Adam Murray’s summer switch to Barrow, the 49-year-old was chosen as his successor to lead Harriers into the National League.

This is the highest level Wotton has managed at having previously coached Truro City prior to his spell as Assistant Manager at Plymouth Argyle.

He became a club legend with the latter, entering their Top 10 all-time appearance makers as a player which resulted in the former defender being inducted into their Hall of Fame. The Englishman also represented Yeovil Town, Oxford United and Southampton.

One to Watch

Veteran midfielder David Davis has been marshalling the midfield at Aggborough for multiple years and was named as Paul Wotton’s captain at the start of the campaign.

Closing in on 100 appearances for the Worcestershire-based side, Davis started in the middle of the park as the Harriers prevailed in the National League North play-off final back in May, beating South Shields 2-0 away from home.

A household name in Midlands football, during the prime years of his career the now 35-year-old was consistently competing in the Championship with the likes of Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He broke through the academy system with the latter and enjoyed early loan spells at Darlington, Walsall, Shrewsbury Town and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Davis has barely missed a minute in the National League this term, but is yet to open his goalscoring account despite netting eight times last year.

League Form Guide

Kidderminster Harriers | W5 D5 L3 GD: +3 | Pos: 11th

League Form: DDLLD

MD9: Woking 0-0 Kidderminster Harriers

MD10: Kidderminster Harriers 0-1 Yeovil Town

MD11: Boreham Wood 3-1 Kidderminster Harriers | Scorers: Lewis Walker

MD12: Kidderminster Harriers 1-1 Sutton United  | Scorers: Callum Stewart

MD13: Carlisle United 0-0 Kidderminster Harriers

Worthing FC | W7 D3 L3 GD: +9 | Pos: 5th

League Form: WWDWW

MD9: Hartlepool United 1-3 Worthing FC | Scorers: Cory Adjetey-Brew, Ricky Aguiar & Jose Marquez

MD10: Worthing FC 2-1 FC Halifax Town | Scorers: Joe Cook & Jordan Young

MD11: Yeovil Town 1-1 Worthing FC | Scorer: Razzaq Coleman De-Graft

MD12: Gateshead 1-2 Worthing FC | Scorers: Jack Wadham & Alex Lankshear (O.G)

MD13: Worthing FC 5-0 Solihull Moors | Scorers: Cory Adjetey-Brew x2, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, Ricky Aguiar & Dom Hutchinson

View from the Camp – Adam Hinshelwood

“It’s been nice to have a full week to prepare for a match. It’s always a tough game when you come up against Paul’s team, he mixes it up with different styles and we know we will have to be at our very best to overcome the challenge.”

Tickets

Please ensure you buy your ticket in the correct area, with the tickets labelled as Away Seating/Standing designated for Worthing fans. All fans aged 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Away fans must purchase tickets via the online ticketing platform and cannot purchase in person at the stadium Box Office.

Online purchase for all fans is available up to 15 minutes after kick-off.

Any supporters needing assistance with purchasing online can contact Kidderminster before a match day on 01562 823 931.

Tickets are non refundable.

Tickets

You can purchase your ticket online through the following link, with prices listed below:   Kidderminster Harriers vs Worthing FC Tickets.

 

Tickets are only available online.

HOW TO FOLLOW

If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the game via live updates from the club’s official Twitter account.

Or if you prefer, you can watch Behind- the-Scenes access over on our Instagram account.

You can also listen to live commentary through the club’s official commentary service.