Archived News from August 2004
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STAGSNET`S STATISTICAL PREVIEW
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Kidderminster Harriers are our next opponents at Field Mill and both teams opened their league account when it comes to scoring and winning last Saturday. While the Stags won comfortably 3-0 at Chester thanks to goals from Asamoah, Buxton and a wonder strike from Larkin, the Harriers needed a 2nd half penalty converted by Ian Foster, to beat Darlington. And Kidderminster have yet to concede a league goal and to score in open play this season.
Both teams have something else in common: playing West Ham at home in a 5th round FA Cup tie. While the Stags kayoed the Hammers in 1969, the Harriers lost by the only goal of the game 25 years later. All league games as well as home and away have been very close encounters and no win for either side has been achieved by more than a one-goal margin. This was proved as late as last season. Thence, the teams faced each other at Kidderminster on the opening day of last season, when the Harriers were lucky to run out 2-1 winners. At Field Mill, the decisive moments came midway through the first half. Adam Murray, then playing for the Harriers but now for the Stags, tangled with Lee Williamson with the result of Kidderminster being awarded a penalty. Ward had less luch than the Dane Bo Henriksen had had on the opening day, as Pilkington saved the spot-kick. Just a few minutes later, Day headed home the only goal of the game. This was during a period when the Stags notched several 1-0 victories. Although Kidderminster Harriers reached the first round of the FA Cup on several occasions in their non-league days, they have never faced the Stags in this competition. A competition in which Kidderminster last season were on the verge of kayoeing last season's Premiership side Wolverhampton at Aggborough – while the Stags went out at home to Division One Burnley – all in the 3rd round. Despite being the fifth league season for Kidderminster, yet a number of players have appeared for the Harriers and the Stags during this short time. Below are some interesting details. One of them, Adam Willis, played for the Harriers against the Stags on the opening day last season – and twelve overall – was later loaned out to conf side Burton Albion and now playing for Hinckley. (Willis having played for Kidderminster since leaving the Stags is NOT updated in the Player's Who's Who on the history CD, have checked that during work on this preview). Iyseden Christie is now on Kidderminster's book but has yet to appear for them. Mark Blake starred for the Stags in BOTH games against Kidderminster in 2000-01 but for the Harriers against the Stags on September 1, 2001 – and was yellow-carded in all three games! On the other hand, Neil MacKenzie represented the Harriers in both games AGAINST the Stags in 2000-01 while Colin Larkin was on loan to Kidderminster from Wolverhampton in 2001-02 without ever facing the Stags. Simeon Hodson and Steve Prindiville played for Kidderminster before finally getting promotion to the league in 2000, all others listed below have played for both sides in league fixtures while Walter Akers and Benjamin Wonnacott starred before World War II. Played for both sides: Walter Akers, Mark Blake, Matt Gadsby, Stewart Hadley, Simeon Hodson, Colin Larkin, Neil Mackenzie, Adam Murray, Steve Prindiville, Andy White, Adam Willis, Benjamin Wonnacott Home: P 3, W 2, D 1, L 0, GF 4, GA 2 Away: P 3, W 0, D 1, L 2, GF 2, GA 4 Home games Away games 2000-01 2-1 2001-01-23 0-1 2000-12-26 Div 3 2001-02 1-1 2002-01-29 1-1 2001-09-01 Div 3 2003-04 1-0 2004-01-10 1-2 2003-08-09 Div 3 Svante Bernhard aka Sweden Stag (pictured, above right) Details from various sources, i.e. Rothmans Football Yearbook, the history CD, the centenary book |
Latest | August 2004