Harriers focus on important tie
Kidderminster manager Mark Yates knows what advancement in the FA Cup and the possible financial rewards could do for the cash-strapped Harriers - but his side have to get there first.
Fellow Blue Square Premier promotion chasers Cambridge are the visitors to Aggborough tomorrow (3pm), in a £20,000 shoot-out for a place in the second round.
The game comes as news breaks of chairman Barry Norgrove's agreement with KHIST, the club's independent supporters trust, to buy a seat on the board and elect a representative - provided they are successful in raising the £50,000 asking price.
Such is the cash cow of the FA Cup that progression over the next two rounds would raise that figure in prize money alone, before factoring in any live broadcast deal should a big draw be landed.
All sounds brilliant in theory but Yates knows if his side don't turn up they could end up with nothing.
He said: "We all know what a good cup run could do for the club and the financial rewards it could bring. Money is tight here and the chairman has recently called for investment, so it could be the answer to that problem.
"But that is not the concern of my players when we go out onto the pitch. We need to get our names into the hat for the next round. That is our only aim.
"To be fair, a lot of clubs in the current climate are in the same boat. All play in the FA Cup hoping to get through and get that big draw, so all will be hoping come kick-off.
"We would also love such a draw, but for that to be possible we have to focus on what we are doing on the pitch. We have to focus on beating Cambridge tomorrow."
Cambridge have already gotten one over on the Harriers, beating them 2-1 at the Abbey Stadium in August.
Yates reckons the U's will meet a different side this time around.
He said: "For me, we are a different side to the one that Cambridge faced earlier in the season for me. We have grown in stature and the results show it. To be fair, we were only defeated by the odd goal last time.
"Our home form is good as well, so hopefully we can continue that and get ourselves through to the next round, Cambridge are a good side, so it will be tough, but I am confident we can do it."
The Harriers will have to do without defender Luke Jones, who sits out the second of a three-match ban, with Martin Riley continuing in his place.
