Saturday: Blyth Spartans (A)

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HARRIERS make the long trip to Blyth Spartans on Saturday looking to secure three points to help boost their end to the season.

With the play-offs looming, Harriers know that momentum is absolutely crucial, and that there’s a need to go into the ‘lottery’ with as much confidence as possible.

A victory at Croft Park on Saturday would go a long way to help gaining some of that, with just three National League North matches remaining after it.

It won’t be secured on the cheap, though. The hosts have been battling away at the foot of the division and fighting off the threat of relegation for much of the term.

While Spartans do have a handy four-point cushion on bottom-placed Guiseley and the only relegation spot, there will almost certainly be more twists and turns to come before the season is done – at both ends of the table.

“It’s another tough game as they’re fighting for their lives at the moment, so you’ve really got to keep an eye out on that,” boss Russ Penn said.

“We’ve got to back up our performance on Monday and if we do that, we’ll be okay.

“The likes of Guiseley and Telford are still around it, and Farsley.

“It’s one down this season and no one wants to go down.

“I think Blyth have been really lucky over the last couple of years in terms of retaining their league position, but they’ve got a new Manager in and what he’s doing seems to be working.

“He’s played catch-up all year so we have got to be careful.

“He has brought in a nucleus of players that he wants from the north east into the squad, and we’ve got to be on our mettle.”

That Harriers also have Guiseley to face within their last four games suggests the Reds could have a big impact on what happens in the division’s relegation battle.

More generally it underlines the gaffer’s message that each and every game has something riding on it – especially with the term’s big finale in sight.

“There’s something to play for in every game and everyone wants the three points,” he added.

“We’ll be no different – we’ll go up there trying to win the game.”

Harriers will be without Cliff Moyo for the remainder of the season after his heartbreaking injury at Chester – the extent of which is being determined by MRI scans, the results being due soon.

Penn must also plan without Matty Stenson after the striker was recalled by FC Halifax Town from his loan at Aggborough.

The boss does at least have new face Corey Panter to call upon after the Luton Town loanee joined up with the squad.

Harriers fans at Blyth are reminded that while they can pay for admission at the turnstile at Croft Park, advance purchase via their website is strongly recommended.

Kick-off is at 3:00pm.

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