Richards eager for Harriers success

Kidderminster striker Justin Richards is a man on a mission as the Harriers continue their pre-season preparations in Devon to play in the Errea South West Challenge Cup.

The 27-year-old endured a mixed first season at Aggborough after joining on a free transfer from Peterborough.

He had seven goals to his credit before he was shipped out for the second half of the campaign, in a shock loan move to Blue Square Premier rivals Oxford.

Now the West Bromwich lad is back in the region and is focused - on success in a Harriers shirt. His return to the fray was noticeable in Friday's 2-2 draw with Plymouth, where he was on the scoresheet.

He said: "I'm here to play football and I want to score goals. It's as simple as that. It was good to get a goal, hopefully I can kick on from it now.

"Everyone is coming in and training well and everyone is trying to impress. They are trying to make sure they're in that starting eleven for the first league game of the season.

Richards is very much looking forward to the trip, seeing it is a worthwhile experience to gel with the rest of the squad, some of whom he has never met before after manager Mark Yates' summer recruitment drive.

He said: "We will be living in each other's pockets for five days to a week, so we'll get to know one another very well.

"Hopefully we can get to know more about how we all play. Having that togetherness will help.

"We may have a smaller squad for the season than most but everyone starts on zero points. Maybe we can go out and surprise a few people."