The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Harriers in top form could be good for Sports
Peterborough Sports will run into a revitalised Kidderminster Harriers side as they a chase a club record run in the FA Trophy on Saturday.
But joint manager Michael Gash believes that could be a good thing for his side.
The Harriers have won all four National League games since charismatic former Premier League manager Phil Brown took charge and will be hot favourites to stop Sports reaching the quarterfinals of the competition for the first time in the club’s history at PIMS Park (3pm).
"Now they have given themselves a great chance of avoiding relegation they might not be too concerned about the Trophy,” Gash said.
“A lot of National League clubs don’t see the competition as a priority these days even though the final is at Wembley.
“Only six of the last 16 teams are National League sides, but we don’t really care what team they bring as we will definitely be going all out for the win.
“It’s a huge game for us. The prize money isn’t that much, but every little helps and if we can win this game, and create some club history, who knows where we will end up.
"Obviously we are underdogs against a club who been full-time for a long time, but that also doesn’t bother us. It’s never an easy game for away teams at our place.”
Brown managed Hull City
in the Premier League and has also managed Derby County and Preston North End among other clubs.
Gash is a former Kidderminster player and scored as they knocked his hometown club Posh out of the 2013-2014 FA Cup.
"I had some great days at the club,” Gash added. “I have special memories of the place, beating Peterborough in the
FA Cup and just missing out on promotion to the Football League by two points behind Mansfield.”
Sports will have key midfielder Dan Lawlor back after his two-match suspension, while they also hope to have centre forward Mark Jones back after injury.
Powerful centre-back Connor Johnson returned from a lengthy injury absence
last weekend.
Sports boosted their squad at the back end of last week by signing former Cambridge United and King’s Lynn Town centre-back Rory McAuley (34) on a permanent deal and versatile Lincoln City player Elicha Ahui (20) on loan.
“I played with Rory at Cambridge and Lynn,” Gash said. “He’s a good player and a great
lad, while Elicha can play in central midfield, which he prefers, or at right-back.
"We needed some bodies in after losing Dion SembieFerris.”
Sembie-Ferris was recalled by parent club Scunthorpe United before last weekend and scored in a 2-0 win over Rushall Olympic.
NEW CONTRACT
Highly-rated goalkeeper Peter Crook has signed a twoyear extension to contract at Sports. He is now committed to the club until the end of the 2025-2026 season.
Crook said: “I’m delighted to have signed for two more seasons. This club has given me nothing but positive memories since joining and I’m looking forward to achieving many more.”