Hartlepool United return to Enterprise National League action tonight when they head to Aggborough Stadium to face newly-promoted Kidderminster Harriers (Friday 11 September, 7:45pm KO).
The opposition:
Kidderminster, who returned to the National League this season after beating South Shields in the National League North play-off final, have made a positive start to their campaign.
After promotion-winning boss Adam Murray departed the club for Barrow in the summer, Paul Wotton was appointed Harriers manager, following previous spells in the dugout at Truro City and Torquay United.
Wotton’s side currently sit in eighth position on 11 points (three wins, two draws and one loss), scoring 10 goals and conceding seven in that time.
Forward Lewis Walker is the side’s top scorer in the league so far with five goals in six games, including a brace in a 4-1 away victory over Wealdstone last time out.
Club Information:
Nickname: Harriers
Founded: 1886 (140 years ago)
Ground: Aggborough Stadium (Attendance – 6,444)
Director: Richard Lane
Last season: National League North (3rd of 24 – promoted via play-offs)
Pools:
Lee Clark’s side returned to winning ways in the league last week with a 1-0 win against Woking at Victoria Park, as Chris Popov scored his first goal for the Club.
The victory brought a three-game losing streak to an end and made it an impressive three clean sheets in six games this campaign.
Pools have the joint-best defensive record in the league so far alongside Aldershot Town, conceding just four goals, and are currently placed in 11th position.
On the road, Clark’s team have won one of their three league matches so far, with Corey McKeown’s goal securing Pools a 1-0 victory away to Aldershot in August.
Team news:
Lee Clark has confirmed that goalkeeper Max Merrick has suffered a thigh tear after coming off against Woking, and is therefore unavailable for six weeks.
Max Kouogun is out for a minimum of eight weeks with an ankle injury and is in talks with a consultant to see if surgery is required.
Corey McKeown will miss the trip to Kidderminster due to a foot injury, but Cam John is in contention to be involved in the matchday squad following a dead leg setback last week.
Owen Hampson has returned to full training this week, while Luke Charman has stepped up his rehabilitation by returning to running as he continues his recovery from a long-term injury.
Last five meetings:
January 2024: Hartlepool United 0-1 Kidderminster Harriers
November 2023: Kidderminster Harriers 1-1 Hartlepool United
April 2003: Kidderminster Harriers 2-2 Hartlepool United
November 2002: Hartlepool United 2-1 Kidderminster Harriers
March 2002: Kidderminster Harriers 3-2 Hartlepool United
