A look ahead to the Good Friday trip to Chester…
By Matty Paddock - 14/04/2022
Posted 4 years ago

HARRIERS kick off the Easter weekend with a trip to Chester on Good Friday.
The Reds will hope to be back to something closer to their best following last weekend’s 5-0 thumping of Southport at Aggborough.
Chester, meanwhile, won’t be too dispirited by their last outing after going down 4-3 at title chasing Gateshead.
The Seals had pulled back The Heed at the International Stadium before eventually falling to defeat.
Indeed, goals haven’t been the problem for Steve Watson’s side in recent weeks – but then again, their form in general has been in good order.
They’d struggled with just one win in 12 games across Christmas and early 2022, but have notched three wins and four from their last five.
Within that five-game spell, they’ve also netted three goals on four occasions, which suggests goals may not be hard to come by between the twos sides on Friday.
Harriers boss Russ Penn always fancied Chester to do well this season and, despite their struggles overall in 2021/22, knows they have plenty still to play for.
“They were one of my favourites to be up and around the play-offs,” he told our YouTube channel.
“They’ve had a change of manager, personnel, team and shape. Steve Watson has gone in there, who I know really well.
“I know he’ll be looking to build for next season but they’ve still got a job to do between now and the end of the season.
“They probably want one or two more wins to get out of that bottom half area, but also there are players playing for contracts, so these are tough games between now and the end of the season.”
The gaffer confirmed that Sam Austin is progressing nicely on his road to recovery after being forced off in the game against Alfreton.
While it’s possible Friday may come too soon for Austin, Penn is hopeful that both he and Geraldo Bajrami will be back available to feature if not at the Deva Stadium, then for Monday’s home clash with Kettering.
Of the double-header of fixtures, Penn added: “You’ve just got to keep plugging away, but I always say it is one game at a time.
“Monday [would] take care of itself after a good result on the Friday.”
In a curious twist of timing, thanks to COVID and curtailed seasons, Friday marks Harriers first visit Chester since 2018.
All Harriers fans attending will need a ticket in advance, which can be purchased from the Chester website. Their ticketing system is similar the one fans will be familiar with at Harriers – although a new user account will be needed – which should ensure the process is quick and simple.
Tickets must be purchased before 5pm on Thursday – after which no further tickets will be sold, and none will be sold on the day of the fixture.
Harriers fans with tickets will be situated in the West Stand and should enter via Turnstile 7.
If you can’t purchase your tickets online, you can get them by calling Chester’s Ticket Office on 01244 371376 between 10am and 4pm.
Away travel from Harriers is now sold out, with one coach attending.
Kick-off is at 3:00pm.
This article is about: Match
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA