On Saturday Bristol Rovers entertain a Kidderminster Harriers team who are 4 points and 7 places behind them in the Vanarama Conference. Whilst Rovers were battling out a 0-0 draw at Alfreton on Tuesday, the Harriers went down to their second home defeat of the season 2-0 to Aldershot the following night. Harriers have gained 20 points from their 10 home games. Their season started well with 15 points from their opening 7 games and no defeats. Since then their form has been patchier although it did include a remarkable 3-3 draw at Barnet, where they came back from being 3-0 down at half-time. Wednesdayâs game, was evenly balanced until the start of the second half when Harriers' right-back Jared Hodgkiss was sent off. Brett Williams converted the penalty. Hodgkiss was shown a straight red card for pulling back Andrew McConville in the box and denying a goal-scoring opportunity. It was the defender's first ever sending off. As Kidderminster pushed for a leveller, they left themselves exposed at the back and Williams volleyed over the bar in the 63rd minute. Kidderminster's defeat was sealed in the 73rd minute when Molesley cut in the right and beat Lewis with a deflected effort. Hodgkiss later apologised live on air, "It was a little error in positioning, I've pulled at his shirt half-heartedly, the lad's made the most of it and I've seen red. It's the first time I've been sent off in my career. It was a little bit immature from myself and I'm disappointed.â "If I had put someone in the stand and I had deserved the red card, I could understand it more. But I've just got to make sure it never happens again." Kidderminster Harriers was formed in 1886 following a period as an athletics and rugby union club since 1877. It took 114 years to win promotion to the Football League, under the stewardship of Jan Molby in 2000, but their stay there lasted just five seasons. Since then, they came closest to regaining their spot two seasons ago, finishing second to Mansfield Town by just two points. Harriers then lost 5-2 on aggregate against Wrexham in the play-off semi-finals. Last season, the Worcestershire side finished seventh in the Conference Premier table, five points outside the play-off places; despite losing just one of their last thirteen league fixtures. Rovers have met Kiddy, 5 times at the Mem with 4 wins and 1 defeat. The last game was a 2-0 victory on 23 October 2004 when a Junior Agogo double sealed the points for Rovers. The Redâs boss Gary Whild has had to send two players out on loan to cut costs. He has been told he must reduce the cash-strapped clubâs wage bill by sending keeper Jasbir Singh and midfielder Josh OâKeefe respectively to Gloucester City and Chester on two month deals. Whild said: âThe clubâs financial situation means we have to juggle players around to get them off the wage bill. Unless we pull a rabbit out of the hat, like we did when we brought in Matt Robinson from Luton, weâre not in a position to strengthen.â Whild added: âWeâve got three tough games coming up against sides who have all traditionally played in the Football League but are finding out how difficult winning promotion from the Conference is. We want to build on the excellent result against Torquay and get some momentum. âIf weâve beaten Aldershot last night then weâll be just outside the play-off spots, so we are not far off where we want to be.â Whild is going to have to tighten the belt even more as he has been told that he needs to offload striker Michael Gash, whose goals helped Harriers to the Conference play-offs in 2013, "The script has changed a bit," Whild noted "That's where we are. We can't afford the likes of Michael Gash, so we need to look to get him out somewhere and get him fixed up. "The main thing is making sure the lads who are here are getting paid. Hopefully, over the next 24 to 48 hours, something might happen. There's one or two clubs interested, although his wife is due to have a baby any day now which also has to be taken into consideration. Hopefully we can get something sorted out."
After a positive couple of days on the training pitch manager Darrell Clarke and his squad are looking forward to getting back to the Memorial Stadium for the visit of Kidderminster Harriers. News on the team front is encouraging and although Neal Trotman will again miss out, there is a chance that midfielder Ollie Clarke will be available for selection following a slight hamstring injury. The manager spoke yesterday of negativity and of the criticism he and his players received at Alfreton on Tuesday night. However his comments have drawn a great deal of support from true Rovers supporters, the majority of whom have condemned the actions of a minority who claim to be fans. The manager said this morning; "The majority of our fans are the best I have come across in all the years I have been involved in football and I don't say that lightly, especially with what they have had to put up with. "It's obvious that the vast majority of them are appreciative of what we are trying to achieve at this club and their comments and backing following yesterday's press conference are greatly appreciated. "Our home attendances have averaged over 5,700 which is amazing for a Conference side and our supporters have made the Memorial Stadium an intimidating place for visiting clubs. "Away from home we have taken over 1,000 supporters to three games, again a phenomenal number and the backing at many of our away games has made it feel like a home game for us and I really hope that continues over the course of the season. "On Tuesday we moved up to fourth place in the league and we will be aiming to get more points on the board to tomorrow against a decent Kidderminster side. "There is a long way to go, of course, and we realise that there are areas of our play we need to improve on. "We are aware of the fact that our goals for tally needs to improve, but if we continue to create the chances we have in most of our games I'm sure that the goals will come." With game preparation uppermost in his thoughts, Darrell has been delighted with the way his team have worked in training since Tuesday; "We have a very honest group of players here and a good mix of youth and experience. They all work hard for one another and the more experienced players are always encouraging and advising the younger players in the squad. "Those who remain here from last season were as devastated as all of our supporters were when we were relegated at the end of last season and they are determined to get the club back into the Football League at the first attempt. "They have been joined by players who appreciate the traditions of this club and who love playing in front of the big crowds at the Memorial Stadium. "Yesterday's training session went well and today's has been even better. We are as well prepared as we can be going into the tomorrow's game and I'm sure that our supporters will get behind us as we seek take all three points against Kidderminster."
In red I think that was very badly worded by the club. That will create even further divisions amongst the fans. I dont fully agree with the negativity and what some fans have done but they are passionate Rovers fans who want the same as the rest which is success for us, but they believe in something different that would give us success. I think the club has made a mistake with this wording.
I agree with you here CJS. We are all fans and express our feelings about the club differently. Those fans who travel away on a regular basis are the core of the team's support. Obviously at least one guy allowed his disappointment and frustration to make him react in an unacceptable way, but nevertheless it shows the passion of our support. Sometimes it is better to bottle up the disappointment and keep silent.
from Taylor too didnt feel like a good atmosphere today for me. way too quiet. we didnt become the 12th man until after we scored. maybe the 1st 5 mins when we started off well. just a lot of moaning. i shouted out "shut up" at someone who was moaning non stop during the 2nd half. i just think the fans today was waiting for something to happen instead of encouraging the players who obviously needed it. i did think we were going to lose as soon as we conceded. but some howe we managed to get back into it.
We were toothless first half and under the cosh second. I thought they were going to score again after their goal - we just didn't react at all. However, fair play to Taylor for grabbing his chance and gaining us a point. Agree it wasn't the best atmosphere until the final 15, but hey-ho, if this is a 'bad patch' before we go on another unbeaten run, I'll be quite happy.
