Kidderminster Harriers fans are not confident of victory, but do expect a low scoring draw, as this preview from http://www.harriers-online.co.uk/ shows:
It's the big one, the one that Parka'Bull and a million other people residing in the quaint little town of Hereford have been waiting for.
This Saturday the Bulls will be led to the slaughter and sacrificed on the Aggborough altar in front of the baying Harrier hordes.That's enough of the Parka'Bull type hallucinations for now so let's get on with the preview.
Yes, this game is eagerly awaited but now it seems for all the wrong reasons. At the start of the season we had visions of two sides serving up a feast of cultured football at the top of the table but in reality we are both firmly entrenched in mid-table with neither side able to get any consistency into their game. We had dreams of an all ticket game being sold out weeks in advance with the sold out signs hanging from the gates. Instead we'll be lucky to see 3,500 and a bit less money in the coffers to stave off this supposedly imminent 'liquidation' that's supposed to be hanging over us.We are losing money hand over fist, true, but it's nothing that a good cup run can't cure. Oh dear, bit late there aren't we!
Hereford continued their good luck in all their games this week when, while we were being ejected from the FAC at Southport, they were struggling to hold Alfreton, a coal miners team from the East Midlands, to a draw at home and then struggle to get past them at their field on Tuesday evening in the replay. It took penalties to achieve that.They won't need so much good luck against us. Just turn up and we'll roll over.Or will we? Well our defence is now that much tougher now that Johnny's come home and it'll be the weak link Wayne Evans that will be making way for him. With Hats, Jacko and Burgess all playing well our defence has now taken on a much meaner look.It's up-front where we are now found wanting. With Christie out due to suspension we're going to have to rely on ?????. Who are we going to rely on to get some goals? Atieno is back after Walsall refused to allow him to play in Cup games but he doesn't seem able to make goals for himself, he needs crosses for that. Sheldon? He's failed to deceive for me and can blow hot and cold but he's said to the press this week that he's glad that he signed for us and not Hereford so it's up to him to get into the thick of it and prove to us that he did the right thing.Simon Russell is too lightweight and he'll get found out by the Hereford henchmen and Simon Heslop doesn't seem to have the strikers instinct in front of goal.Nil Nil then.
Missing for us tomorrow will be just Chris McHale and possibly Michael Blackwood who is still suffering with his hamstring injury but he might make it to the bench.Hereford, hoping to get one over their more illustrious neighbours, will be without Ricky George and John Motson for this game because they are both throwbacks to when they were famous and only play at the intro of the Match of the Day FA Cup Special. They'll also be without Alex Jeanin (suspended) and Adam Stansfield, Stacy Coldicott and Simon Travis will be sidelined through injury. Ryan Green and Guy Ipoua are both on the verge of returning to the side after injury and could start on the bench for the Bulls.The Bulls manager, Graham Turner, will have to decide whether to continue with the reserve team keeper, Craig Mawson in goal or let loanee Wayne Brown return to the sticks after being told by his parent club, Chester City, that he couldn't play in the Cup games. Mawson has played well and it'll be a tough decision for Turner.Their big striker on loan from Crewe, Matt Bailey, has been allowed to stay at Edgar Street for a further month by Dario Gradi. He's scored twice in his seven games for Hereford.I think we'll be seeing a good, solid showing from the Harriers with Mullins back in defence and a pairing of Sheldon And Tai up front there must be a goal in there somewhere but I still think it'll be Nil Nil.