Saturday: Harriers v Gloucester

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RUSS Penn wants to bring recent confidence back to Aggborough as Harriers prepare to host Gloucester City on Saturday.

The Tigers are the opposition at the weekend as the Reds return to home soil for a first league clash in DY10 since November 5th.

Since then, Harriers have navigated four successive away games in League and Trophy – and have played six of their last seven away from their own patch.

With wins in the last two matches at St Albans and AFC Telford, Penn wants to bring some of that feelgood factor back to more familiar surroundings.

Looking ahead to the game he said: “It has been tough; I don’t like how the fixtures have worked this year, and obviously we’ve squeezed a couple of re-arranged games in there as well.

“In hindsight you’d probably spread them out further, but it has been tough. Six away games over the last four weeks has been draining, because they’re not local ones either.

“It has coincided with some poor performances, so obviously it [has an] affect on you and everyone gets a little bit stressed and tired.

“So, it will be great to have three home games in the next four and get Aggborough bouncing.”

Gloucester will travel to Aggborough looking to reverse their own recent slump in form after a tricky run of results.

Penn knows not to be fooled by their recent set-backs – just a few weeks ago they stunned league leaders King’s Lynn with a 2-1 victory.

“I am expecting a team that are going to react to the results they’ve had in the last couple of weeks,” Penn added.

“We’re going to expect the best version of Gloucester as they’ve got some very good players and a Manager who has been around the block.

“We know from last season how tough these games are, so we’ve got to focus on ourselves first and foremost, keep a bit of swing in our way and hit them hard come three o’clock on Saturday.”

Russ Penn will be without longer-term absentees Alex Penny and Nat Knight-Percival on Saturday, but new arrivals Tom Billson, Reiss McNally, Paddy McLaughlin and Joe Leesley could all make home debuts.

With the half-way point of the campaign fast approaching, Penn went on to reiterate that a clear focus is important.

He added: “We’re hitting the mid part of the season and we’re not quite where we wanted to be, but I don’t think anyone’s quite where we want to be at the moment.

“The league is there for the taking and we just have to worry about each game as it comes.”

Kick-off at Aggborough on Saturday is at 3:00pm.

MATCH TICKETS

Home and away fans are reminded that the quickest and easiest way to purchase match tickets is to do so online via our ticketing platform.

Can’t purchase online? You can call our Ticket Office on 01562 823 931 who will assist.

Fans wishing to make a purchase in person can do so up to 15 minutes after kick-off on Saturday by visiting the Aggborough Ticket Office. There is an additional £3 added to admission prices (excluding Juniors) for tickets bought in this way, so please make purchases online where you can, which you can also do at any time until just after kick off.

MATCH DAY PROGRAMMES

Pick up a copy of Issue 13 of this season’s match programme as we bring you comprehensive coverage of our guests, Gloucester City, and our battles over the years.

We also profile the 2008-09 season as we go down Memory Lane, there’s  Kids Corner, an update from Russ Penn, match photos and plenty more.

Can’t make the game? You can order a copy now with FREE UK delivery.

AGGBOROUGH IS CASHLESS

All food outlets at Aggborough, as well as all sales points including the Ticket Office and match programmes and Harriers Arms, are cashless for 2022-23.

Please keep this in mind when planning your day.

NO SMOKING

Aggborough Stadium is a strictly no smoking venue – this means smoking, including the use of vapes and e-cigarettes, is prohibited anywhere within the stadium.

SAFETY AT AGGBOROUGH

Harriers supports the campaign by The FA, the National League and others to clampdown on antisocial behaviour at football matches.

Recent antisocial behaviour at matches will not be tolerated – do not bring, handle or involve yourself in the use of pyrotechnics at matches or enter the field of play at any time. Enjoy the match responsibly.

Please see a statement made by the club recently.

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