24/25 On The Road: Kidderminster Harriers

Mark Bower’s Lions are back in action this weekend and are looking to make the first-Round proper of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time since 2021, writes Scott Kelly.

Past Meetings

These sides last met in the 21/22 season in National League North, the season Guiseley were relegated.

Kidderminster won 3-0 at home in April 2022 with Guiseley gaining a respectable 0-0 draw at Nethermoor the previous September.

The Lions have only won one of the five previous meetings between the sides.

Emirates FA Cup Facts

The Lions have never been beyond the second round in this competition. They made the second round in successive seasons (2017/18 and 2018/19).

They last made the first-round proper in the 2021/22 season. They visited AFC Wimbledon where they fell 1-0 against the then League One side courtesy of an Ollie Palmer goal. Current Lions contingent Prince Ekpolo, Lebrun Mbeka and Jordan Thewlis all started that match.

In that very same season, Kidderminster famously made the fourth round of the competition. They dispatched of Grimsby Town, FC Halifax Town and Championship Reading before coming up against West Ham at Aggborough. They led 1-0 going into stoppage time before a late Declan Rice goal spared the Hammers blushes. Jarrod Bowen’s goal in extra time meant they went through at Kiddy’s expense.

They did however make the fifth round in the 1993/94 season, which at the time was the furthest a non-league side had gone in the competition.

More recently though, they have made it to the first-round proper in two of the last four seasons.

Last Time Out

Guiseley 0-1 Bamber Bridge

The Lions bowed out of the Izuzu FA Trophy at the very first hurdle last Saturday with a 1-0 defeat at home to fellow NPL side Bamber Bridge.

In a very inspiring tie, The Brig’s goal came courtesy of Simon Grand. His header twenty minutes from time was enough for them to progress to the first-round proper.

The Brig were rewarded for their victory with an away tie against Workington.

The Lions’ Team News

Guiseley were rocked this week by the news that full back Lucas Odunston, who suffered an ankle injury in the victory over Basford, is likely to be out until after Christmas.

A number of key players are also missing. Jordan Thewlis, Leo Farrell, Jack Emmett, Lewis Whitham and Jameel Ible are all likely to miss the trip to Aggborough through injury.

There is a bit of good news though. Lebrun Mbeka will return after serving a one-match suspension.

Jake Wright remains a long-term absentee.

Post Match Reaction From The Gaffer

“They set their stall out. We’ve hit the crossbar, had some chances. On chances created we were probably slightly the better team”  

 Boss Mark Bower refused to criticise the team despite their early exit from the FA Trophy.  

“They haven’t got the number of injuries we’ve got. We had to make a couple more changes. We just couldn’t get going and lacked that quality in the final third.” 

 Bower seemed to suggest that the injury list could be a reason for the flat performance.  

“Lebrun. That’s it! Lucas (Odunston) will be lucky to see this side of Christmas. Jammo (Jameel Ible) went to see a specialist and will need another couple of weeks”. 

 Bower laughs when asked about the injury situation and confirmed that of all players missing on Saturday, only Lebrun Mbeka is likely to be available.  

“Jack (Emmett) isn’r right. He felt his hamstring. George Sebine felt his hamstring after an academy game. We are not likely to have many back for a good couple of weeks. The lads just have to stick together.” 

Bower confirms Jack Emmett is not 100% fit and was only named on the bench on Saturday due to the lack of bodies. He also appeared to confirm George Sebine is another absentee this Saturday. 

Kidderminster Harriers

Manager: Phil Brown
Stadium: Aggborough Stadium
Nickname: Kiddy
23/24 League Position: 22nd (Relegated from the Vanarama National League)

Kiddy are looking to gain promotion to non-league’s top tier at the first time of asking after relegation last season.

The Worcestershire club have been managed by Phil Brown since January but unfortunately, he was unable to stop their slide into National League North. They sit 10th and are well in amongst the play off pack early on in the season.

They entered this competition at the 2nd Qualifying round stage, seeing off Leek Town and Buxton. They defeated the Derbyshire club 2-0 in a replay after a 1-1 draw in the first tie.

Ashley Hemmings is the club’s top league scorer with four goals so far. Winger Maziar Kouhyar has three and both are likely to cause the Lions some problems on Saturday. Hemmings bagged a brace in the 3-0 victory when the sides last met in 2022.

Other notable players include Former Birmingham midfielder David Davis, Goalkeeper Christian Dibble, defender Paul Downing, Amari Morgan-Smith and a name well known to Lions fans Reiss McNally.

Former FC Halifax midfielder Luke Summerfield signed for the club in the summer but will not play due to a broken leg suffered in the replay against Buxton. The club confirmed his absence will be ‘for a sustained period’.

Tickets and Matchday Information

Tickets for the game must be purchased online in advance from Kidderminster’s website here. There will be NO sales on the day, if you are unable to purchase online, please call 01562 823 931. 

When purchasing tickets online please buy in blocks L & M of the East Stand which is where visiting supporters will be placed. 

Tickets are priced at: 

  • Adults: £14 
  • Over 65’s: £10 
  • Student/U21’s: £10 
  • U16’s: £4 
  • U12s: £2 (with a full paying adult, max two tickets per adult) 

You can also pickup a matchday programme for £3.50. 

Aggborough is a cashless venue with only card payments accepted throughout the stadium. 

Segregation will be in place for this fixture with Lions fans housed in blocks L & M of the seated East Stand to see their side who will wear the yellow and black away kit. 

Travel

Coach travel is available with Guiseley AFC Supporters’ Club, just call Paul on 07518445861 to secure a seat. 

The coach leaves Nethermoor at 9:30am priced at £25 for travel club members and £30 for non-travel club members.

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