Kidderminster Harriers

Harriers snap up West Brom winger
Kidderminster have signed winger Brian Smikle on a one-year contract following his release by West Bromwich Albion. Smikle has Conference experience after previous loan spells with both Hereford United and Halifax Town. \"He's something different to what we've got - he's got plenty of pace and can get into wide areas,\" boss Mark Yates told Kidderminster's website. The Harriers have also handed youth team star Scott Eaton a one-year professional deal.

Harriers snap up defender Kenna
Kidderminster have signed former Republic of Ireland defender Jeff Kenna on a one-year contract. Kenna, 35, has Premiership experience with Southampton, Blackburn and Birmingham, and was released by Derby during the summer. Boss Mark Yates told Harriers' website: \"I'm delighted to have Jeff on board. \"He can play in both full-back positions and I know he'll bring a massive amount of experience and professionalism to the squad.\"

Harriers abandonment investigated
Kidderminster and Worcester City are both holding internal enquiries into an off-field incident which saw Saturday's friendly abandoned after 71 minutes. The visiting Harriers had led 2-0 at St George's Lane after goals by Mark Creighton and Michael Blackwood, when manager Mark Yates took his side off. \"An off-the-field incident occurred that was not in the true nature of football,\" Yates said in a statement. \"As a result, I made the decision to withdraw my players from the pitch.\" He added: \"I would like to apologise to all of our supporters and hope to see them at Aggborough next weekend.\" Kidderminster begin their league fixtures next Saturday at home to Conference newcomers St Albans City, while Worcester visit Barrow in Conference North.

Kidderminster sign midfielder Lee
Kidderminster Harriers boss Mark Yates has further strengthened his squad with the signing of midfielder Dwayne Lee. Lee, 26, has joined Harriers on a short-term contract after leaving Barnet towards the end of last season. The former Exeter City player helped Barnet win the Conference title in 2005 before making 27 appearances in League Two last season. Lee arrives at the Aggborough Stadium after spending time on trial with Grays Athletic this summer.

Burton v Kidderminster
Burton are set to welcome back winger Keith Gilroy but captain Darren Stride is doubtful with a neck injury. Striker Daryl Clare should retain his place despite breaking a finger in his last outing but midfielder Chris Hall is ruled out with an ankle injury. Kidderminster could give starts to Brian Smikle, Luke Reynolds and Simon Russell, who were all substitutes in the 3-1 defeat to St Albans. Jeff Kenna should keep his starting place after scoring in that game.

Yates demanding win at Northwich
Kidderminster manager Mark Yates wants his team to beat Northwich Victoria on Saturday after picking up their first point against Burton on Tuesday. \"It's a start for us and we have to make sure we build on it,\" said Yates. \"I'll settle for four points out of nine for the three games because that's the maximum we can get now. \"We need to go to Northwich on Saturday and try to get three points because that is the only way we will really have done OK.\" The Harriers drew 1-1 at Burton thanks to Russ Penn's second-half equaliser.

Northwich v Kidderminster
Northwich midfielder Stuart Elliot faces a race against time to be fit having suffered a groin strain in the midweek defeat to Morecambe. Elliot is rated as doubtful and could join long-term injury victims Danny Mayman and Mark Sale on the sidelines. Kidderminster are also sweating on a midfielder's fitness. Jamie McClen missed the midweek draw at Burton with a back injury, a match in which Jeff Kenna was substituted as a precaution so he should start.

Northwich 0-1 Kidderminster
Luke Reynolds scored the only goal to kick-start Kidderminster's season and lift them above hosts Northwich. Reynolds struck 10 minutes before half-time when he collected a pass from Michael Blackwood and lashed a right-foot effort into the top corner. The hosts had suffered a blow in the early exchanges when striker Chris Williams was forced off through injury. They then went behind but almost found a swift equaliser when Kevin Townson's 25-yard sizzler flew inches over. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Northwich: Senior, Battersby (Sale 80), Griffiths, Charnock, Gallimore, Byrne, Carr, Payne (Brayson 65), Williams (Roca 16), Townson, Allan. Subs Not Used: Connett, McCarthy. Booked: Charnock. Kidderminster: Bevan, Hurren, Whitehead, Creighton, Cowan, Lee (Sturridge 63), Penn, Sedgemore, Smikle (Russell 76), Reynolds, Blackwood, Sturridge (White 90). Subs Not Used: Taylor, Harkness. Booked: Cowan. Goals: Reynolds 35. Att: 976 Ref: M Brown (Bristol).

Chambers ties up Orient contract
Leyton Orient have signed midfielder Adam Chambers on a one-year deal. The 25-year-old began his career with West Brom, making 58 league appearances in five seasons at the Hawthorns. He also had a spell on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, but was released by Albion in February 2005 and joined Kidderminster on non-contract terms. He was released by the Harriers last summer after just two appearances, and spent the whole of 2005/06 out injured before joining Orient for pre-season. \"Adam's been with us for six weeks and deserves the opportunity to show us what he can do,\" O's boss Martin Ling told his club's website. \"He gives me good options, because not only can he play in central midfield, but also at right or left-back too.\"

Woking v Kidderminster
Woking boss Glenn Cockerill is likely to make changes as his side have yet to claim a victory this season. Giuseppe Sole, Steve Ferguson and Tom Hutchinson could be promoted from the bench but Chris Sharpling is likely to miss the match through injury. Kidderminster could recall former Newcastle midfielder Jamie McClen. Striker Dean Sturridge may start while Jeff Kenna came through the Weymouth defeat without feeling any reaction to a hamstring strain.

Whitehead wants instant response
Captain Stuart Whitehead says Kidderminster must bounce back against Rushden on Friday to make amends for Monday's dismal 3-0 defeat by Woking. \"Regardless of who plays we need a response and we need it quickly because that wasn't good enough,\" he said. \"The fans are going to be disappointed and we need some strong characters to go out there and put in a performance worthy of their support. \"We owe them - big-time. It's up to us to win them back round.\"

Christie seals Kidderminster move
Rochdale striker Iyseden Christie has rejoined Kidderminster Harriers on a long-term loan deal. Christie, 29, moved to Spotland in January after an 18-month stay at the Aggborough Stadium but has scored just two goals for the League Two side. Yates told the club website: \"He is a proven goalscorer at this level. It hasn't worked for him at Dale and we¿re more than happy to have him back.\" Meanwhile, Harriers have released midfielder Duane Lee.

Harriers boss praises defenders
Kidderminster boss Mark Yates praised his side's defence for clinching the first home point of the season in a 0-0 draw against Rushden on Friday. \"We needed a starting point and I've told the lads now that we need to build on this,\" he told the club website. \"We've had two home performances that were very different so it was important we got something from this game. \"The boys at the back were resolute, they dealt with a lot of long balls and stayed solid.\"

Yates banking on change of luck
Kidderminster boss Mark Yates says his side just need a bit of luck to end their barren spell in front of goal. Harriers have found the net only three times in six Conference matches and have picked up just five points heading into Saturday's game against Tamworth. Yates told Sir Stanley: \"We just need one to go into the back of the net off somebody's backside and the floodgates would then open. \"It can be frustrating, but at least we are creating the chances.\"

Kidderminster 0-2 Tamworth
Kidderminster's woes continued as they crashed at home to Tamworth. After an evenly-contested first half, Tamworth struck the opening goal seven minutes after the interval, Taiwo Atieno scoring home from close range. And the home side's hopes of salvaging something from the game were killed off after 64 minutes when Bradley Thomas headed home the second. It leaves Kidderminster struggling near the foot of the Conference table and in desperate need of victories. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kidderminster: Bevan, Kenna, Whitehead, Creighton, Harkness (McGrath 59), Smikle, Sedgemore, Penn, Blackwood, Reynolds (Sturridge 63), Christie, Sturridge (Hurren 71). Subs Not Used: McClen, Taylor. Booked: Christie, Penn. Tamworth: Bowles, Thomas, Kemp, Weaver, Smith, Storer, Deakin (Bampton 85), McGrath, McCallum (Kendrick 74), Atieno, Williams (Burton 45). Subs Not Used: Law, Belford. Booked: Thomas, McGrath. Goals: Atieno 53, Thomas 64. Att: 1,641 Ref: Karl Evans (Greater Manchester).

View Full Version: Kidderminster Harriers