Harriers duo could miss semi-final

Kidderminster Harriers duo John Finnigan and Robbie Matthews could be out of the FA Trophy semi-final first leg against Stevenage at Aggborough.

Assistant boss Finnigan missed last weekend's goalless draw at Eastbourne with a calf injury and has not trained all week, but is expected to be assessed today by the club's medical staff.

Striker Matthews has been out for most of the week through illness after contracting a bug, and has sat out since Monday with orders to rest.

Both are doubts, with Adam Boyes in attack and Marcus Bignot in midfield standing by to again deputise, with none of the players wanting to miss the big home leg of the semi-final tomorrow.

But manager Steve Burr has even told his No 2 that no-one will play tomorrow unless they are fit.

He said: "At the end of the day, John will know himself if he is ready. The last thing we need is him playing when he is not right and then doing more damage to it."

Harriers come into the tie as underdogs tomorrow against the Blue Square Premier league leaders, who strengthened that resolve by thumping Barrow 4-0 at home in midweek.

But the Aggborough club have already dumped previous favourites Oxford United to get this far, and Burr believes on their day his side are good enough to get through.

He said: "Stevenage are a good side, there is no doubt about it. But confidence is very good among our players, and if we play to the best of our abilities then there is no reason why we can't get through in these two games.

"It's a cup tie at the end of the day and, whatever happens tomorrow, there is still 90 minutes of football to be played."