A look ahead to Boxing Day….
By Matty Paddock - 23/12/2024
Posted 9 months ago
NEXT up for Harriers is the Boxing Day derby against Hereford at Edgar Street as two in-form sides meet in a festive battle.
Boxing Day’s fixture is the 12th meeting of Harriers and this incarnation of Hereford FC, the pair having collided regularly since 2018 with the exception of last season’s campaign in the National League for the Reds.
Last time out, the teams played out a 1-1 draw at Aggorough on New Year’s Day 2023, Harriers having triumphed days earlier in the Boxing Day clash.
Of course, the far greater history lies between Harriers and the ‘old’ Hereford United, with records dating back to the Southern League in 1939. The Southern League was the most regular battling ground for the two outfits up to the 1950s, what is now National League action continuing up to 2014, shortly before the Bulls rebirth and tremendous rise back through the pyramids.
This season, Hereford have been in and around the play-offs for much of the term and are currently on a three-match unbeaten run, a goalless draw at fancied Scunthorpe coming off the back of a brace of impressive home victories over Chorley and Scarborough.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Aggborough boss Phil Brown. “It will be a difficult fixture, there’s no doubt about it, all derby matches are.
“Everybody is fighting for bragging rights with the locality of the two clubs and then, not just the bragging rights and the locality, but three points would be a really big three points for both clubs.
“It should be a tactical battle, it should be a technical battle, it should be a physical battle and it should be some atmosphere at the ground as well.
“I’m looking forward to it… it was one of the venues I visited as a young man, a 19-year-old footballer. I can’t remember the last time I was there, it must be a long, long time ago.”
There’s a lot to be excited about ahead into the contest, and the boss was happy with his side’s work-rate following Saturday’s win over Southport.
He added: “We’re in a rich vein of form, a very good vein of form and long may that continue.
“The boys have trained again [on Monday] and it’s been outstanding on the training ground, and we’ll do the same again tomorrow with a view to the game on Thursday.”
Brown expects to head into Boxing Day with no fresh injury worries for his squad, with only Ben Beresford, Alex Penny and Luke Summerfield remaining as longer-term absentees.
Of that trio, Beresford remains the closest to making a return, the boss rating his possible return at some stage in January.
Again please remember that kick off at Edgar Street is at the earlier time of 1pm.
Match tickets and away travel to Harriers fans are both sold out and no more will be made available. Please do not travel to the game without already purchased an away match ticket.
The game is being screened live at The Harriers Arms for fans who cannot make the trip, opening from 12noon.
SUPPORTER CONDUCT
Harriers again strongly supports The National League and Football Association in delivering their antisocial conduct message.
Please review the following information before visiting Aggborough or following the team on the road, and remember that your entry into Aggborough Stadium, or any other venue, is subject to the acceptance of the National League’s Ground regulations and adherence to the Smoke No Joke policy. Both documents are clearly visible and available on entry turnstiles but are also available for download below.
Specifically, we would like to remind supporters that the club will not tolerate supporter misconduct of any kind. This includes but is not limited to:
- Discriminatory behaviour. This means conduct or language that is aggravated by ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, faith, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability.
- Entering the field of play or its immediate surrounding area without permission
- The throwing of missiles towards the pitch, technical area or dugout
- The possession or use of pyrotechnics such as flares or smoke bombs
Please support Kidderminster Harriers responsibility. Should you be concerned by any of the above conduct you may witness, please report it to your nearest steward at any venue, to the Club Office or Safety Officer or by e-mail to security@harriers.co.uk
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