By KJ
May 17 2004

KJ takes a closer look at our pre season friendly opponents for the 2004 /5 season. Harriers again take on some familiar teams who we've met many times before.

Pre Season in detail

 

JULY

14^th Cinderford Town (away)

Harriers start their campaign the same as last season, with a visit to former Kidder boss Phil Mullen’s team. Last season it was Evesham now Mullen is in charge of the Forest of Dean side. Harriers played Cinderford in a friendly during the past season, with Kidder coming out convincing winners 5-1, with Jesper Christiansen netting 4 goals.

17^th Gloucester City (away)

Harriers remain in Gloucestershire for a trip to the Tigers on Saturday July 17^th. A good omen perhaps, as Harriers played Gloucester in a pre season game in 1999, running out 5-3 winners. Of course Kidder went on to win the Conference and gain promotion. The last competitive game was in the 4^th qualifying round of the FA Cup in 1998 with Harriers narrowly winning 2-1.

21^st Bristol City (home)

Harriers 1^st home friendly is against the Robins, who could be a division one side by the time the game is played, they are currently in the div 2 play offs. Harriers faced the Robins in pre season 2001/2, winning 1-0 at Aggborough thanks to a Stewart Hadley goal.

24^th Walsall (home)

Harriers again face the Saddlers with new boss Paul Merson agreeing to bring his relegated side to Aggborough for this Saturday afternoon clash. Harriers lost to Walsall last pre season by 2-0 and have faced the Saddlers many times in such games. The competitive game which springs to mind is the League Cup games of our debut league season. Harriers losing out 1-0 at home to a Darren Byfield goal after a fine 1-1 draw at Bescot. Saddlers now face life back in division two after being relegated with new manager Merson looking to make an impact in his 1^st managerial role.

26^th Worcester City (away)

A trip to the auld enemy await Harriers 2 days after the Walsall clash. This should have been last season Worcestershire Senior Cup final, but Kidder lost out to Sutton Coldfield. Harriers played City in a testamonial game last November and were thumped 4-2. Harriers weren’t exactly full strength but I think the game proved our lack of strength in depth at the time. City are now in the newly formed Conference South.

 

28^th Wolverhampton Wanderers (home)

The re run of last seasons FA Cup 3^rd round game is the highlight of the pre season campaign. The Wanderers, who were relegated from the Premiership will again be looking for the Aggboro magic to work. In recent season, Albion (twice), Blues and Wolves have all gone on to gain  promotion after enjoying a pre season game with Harriers. Wolves beat Harriers in a friendly in 2002, Kidder going down 2-0 to an understrength Wolves team which included JJ Melligan and Mark Clyde. Hopefully Wolves will send a strong team down.

31^st Redditch Utd (away)

Harriers complete their pre season campaign at the Valley Stadium a week before the league season starts. Redditch, who won last seasons Southern Lge Western Division are now in the Conference South.