Boss insists Harriers are the underdogs
Manager Dave Hockaday insists Kidderminster Harriers will be underdogs in Saturday's FA Trophy showdown at Stourbridge.
Despite playing two levels above the home side, Harriers have already suffered one humiliating loss to their rivals this season.
They were swept aside 3-0 in the FA Cup by the Glassboys seven weeks ago, in a depressing point of their campaign.
And, though he's confident of avoiding a repeat in Saturday's first round tie, Hockaday believes their Evo-Stik Northern Premier League hosts hold the advantage of experience and cup pedigree.
Cash-strapped Harriers, who sit bottom of the National League Premier having won only two games all season, have been forced to offload numerous senior players to balance the books.
Stour went on to beat Dover in the FA Cup before being knocked out by Eastleigh last weekend.
And Hockaday said: "They (Stourbridge) have a very solid squad – a lot more experience than we do.
"We do not have a massive budget and are going in as underdogs because of their experience and the record they have, beating us and then Dover in the FA Cup.
"It is not something which worries me – David and Goliath, or however you want to call it."
The cup defeat was the first meeting between the old rivals in a major competition for more than three decades and is acknowledged as one of the worst results in Harriers' recent history.
Hockaday admitted: "That was rock bottom. We do not want to plummet to those depths again.
"I would like to think we have grown as a team, I know we have. We just want to get into the next round."
No tickets are being sold in advance for the tie, with supporters able to pay on the day. Harriers have an allocation of 750, with admission priced at £10 for adults and £5 concessions.
Meanwhile, Harriers have recalled their loan pair Keyon Reffell and Reece Hales from Halesowen Town.
The pair impressed at Northern Premier outfit Halesowen, both starting 20 games in all competitions.
Former Birmingham City attacker Hales and Welshman Reffell both scored five goals in their loan stint at the Grove.
Harriers' National League trip to Braintree Town has also been re-arranged for January 12 (7.45pm).
