MATCH PREVIEW | KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS V BARNET FC

Barnet will be looking to build on an impressive performance midweek against York City with another trip on the road to Aggborough, the home of newly promoted Kidderminster Harries this Saturday (30th September, 15:00 KO).

So, What’s the Buzz?
Barnet has continued to be in good form this week. After their entertaining 0-0 draw at home to Halifax, The Bees took their chances including scoring 3 goals in 17 second-half minutes as they came out 4-2 victors against York City on Tuesday evening. The result means The Bees stay in the promotion hunt, sitting in 3rd behind unbeaten Solihull Moors on goal difference and leaders Chesterfield by 5 points. Barnet will need to keep the performances and results coming if they
want to achieve their title dreams and playing bottom-of-the-league Kidderminster can’t be overlooked or underestimated.

Club Profile
Club Name: Kidderminster Harriers FC
Nickname: Kiddy
Founded: 1886
Ground: Aggborough
Manager: Russell Penn
League Position: 24th
Form: DLLLL

Opposition Report
Kidderminster Harriers have had quite a difficult time settling into the National League. After their incredible achievement of gaining promotion through the playoffs despite a 6th place finish in the National League North, things have been challenging, to say the least for Kiddy. Defensively, Kidderminster has been alright, conceding 16 goals from 12 games, just one more than Barnet but it’s up the other end where the struggles have come, with just 6 goals for them being the lowest in the league. 3 of their last 4 games have been lost by just one goal including an impressive performance against 2nd place Solihull Moors highlighting that if they can turn chances into goals, they’ll have a great chance of retaining National League status.

One to Watch: Amari Morgan-Smith
Morgan-Smith is one of the most experienced strikers in the National League having had a 16-year career playing for 12 different clubs making almost 400 league appearances in that time. Having made his first appearance for Kidderminster Harriers in 2013, Amari joined for a second spell in 2020 and was key in their last campaign, scoring 11 goals as Kidderminster secured promotion.
Having played in 11 of their 12 matches and scoring 2 of their 6 goals so far this season, the well-experienced 34-year-old will be wanting to help his team achieve their first win at home of the campaign.

In the Dugout: Russell Penn
Russell Penn is one of the youngest managers currently in the division however what he may lack in experience in general, he is well known by all who are associated with Kidderminster. Having had a spell in his youth career at Aggborough, He signed permanently for the first time in 2005, making 147 league appearances for the club before departing for Burton Albion in 2009. The midfielder ended his career back at Kidderminster making an additional 23 league appearances for the club
before stepping in as interim manager for the club in 2019 for 2 matches. After the manager at the time, James Shan left for Solihull Moors, Penn was announced as the club’s next permanent manager. His achievements in his short time in management are impressive with two playoff finishes, one great FA Cup run ended by Premier League opposition West Ham United in 2022 and one promotion in 2023, guiding Kiddy up with a 2-0 win away to Brackley in the playoff final.