Harriers aim to return to winning ways

Kidderminster manager Mark Yates has urged his side to keep up their strong home record when Forest Green are the visitors on Boxing Day (1pm).

Harriers' bid to return to winning ways after losing at Crawley against a side struggling in the Blue Square Premier, currently occupying the third relegation spot.

Twenty points and 18 places separate the two and at 'Fortress Aggborough' Yates' men are formidable, having lost just once at home in the league all season.

Yates, as usual, is taking nothing for granted and won't let his players do that either.

That said, if Harriers' are to be regarded as genuine promotion contenders, this is the sort of match they need and will be expected to win.

He said: "There are no easy games in this league anymore. We have played Crawley, now we face Forest Green before we go to Torquay. I said at the start of the month it would be tough, but we have to keep picking up points.

"We have a good home record and we need to keep that up. They are a decent footballing side who just haven't had the results that they maybe deserve."

Yates may have kind words for his opponents but that will soon change come 1pm on Boxing Day. He seems to have them scoped and is fully aware of what to expect.

Green have the likes of Andy Mangan and Lee Fowler in their ranks, players who can do the tricky things.

But Harriers have a few tricks up their sleeves as well.

He said: "They will come at us with short passes and good movement, so we need to impose ourselves on them. We are a confident side who won't take them for granted.

"Our work ethic is one of our strengths."