National League strugglers Kidderminster Harriers welcome League One side Fleetwood Town to Aggborough in the first round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Fleetwood themselves are not enjoying a great time of it this season, occupying a place in the relegation zone, and they will hope cup form can bring them some respite and much-needed confidence.

Match preview

On their return to the fifth tier, Kidderminster are finding it incredibly tough and currently find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table after 18 games.

Following the delirious scenes after winning promotion via the playoffs from National League North last season, there has not been much for the Harriers to shout about this season.

Goals are a huge problem, having scored just 12 of them, far and away the fewest in the division, as all three of their wins so far have been by one goal to nil.

Despite losing 10 games already though, fine margins have not gone their way, as seven of those defeats have been by one goal.

Russell Penn's side are in the midst of another slump too having taken just one point from their last three games since sealing their place in the first round by beating Ashton United, a win which was their third in a row at the time.

This is just the second time in six seasons that Kidderminster have reached the first round proper, but a repeat of the last time they made it would be much welcome, when they took West Ham United to extra time in a fourth round tie in 2021-22 after knocking out Championship Reading.

The Hammers were the scourge of Kidderminster two seasons ago, and they were also the side that ended the Harriers' best-ever run in the FA Cup, back in 1993-94, when they reached the last 16.

Fleetwood will hope they can put league worries to one side for the weekend in a competition where they have a fine recent record.

The Cod Army have suffered just two first round exits in the last seven years, and they came against strong Burton Albion and Hull City sides who were fighting near the top of League One at the time.

Last season saw Fleetwood record their best-ever FA Cup run, reaching the last 16 before a narrow defeat to Burnley after beating Sheffield Wednesday and Queen's Park Rangers on the way.

League troubles are alarming though as they remain in the bottom four with just 13 points from 15 games despite an upturn in form since Lee Johnson replaced Scott Brown as manager.

Brown was dismissed after taking just two points from their opening eight matches, but there has been a notable improvement under Johnson.

A win at struggling Reading was vital, and even though they initially led in both games, draws against Blackpool and Barnsley in their last two games were both impressive.

Having taken only four points from their seven home games so far, Johnson may be glad his side are playing away this weekend, as they have enjoyed much more success on the road, winning two and drawing three of their eight away fixtures.

Team News

Kidderminster were without attacking midfielder Bailey Hobson for the clash with Chesterfield last week as he was ineligible to face his parent club, so he should return to the side here.

Reiss McNally was sent off in that 3-1 defeat to the league leaders though, so will be suspended for this one, and with Nathaniel Knight-Percival out injured after going off early against Oldham Athletic at the end of September, there are defensive issues for Penn.

Amari Morgan-Smith will be the key man in attack, as his goals account for a third of Kidderminster's league tally so far, so they will need him firing if they are to have a chance here.

Johnson could rotate his side here with the main focus likely to be on pulling the side out of the League One relegation zone.

Defender Aristote Nsiala should start, though, after completing a three-match ban following a red card against Lincoln City last month.

Junior Quitirna went off injured after scoring a brace at Oakwell against Barnsley two weeks ago, and his replacement Phoenix Patterson may keep his place in the side here.

Kidderminster Harriers possible starting lineup:
Dibble; Penny, Richards, Pearce, Preston, Oxlade-Chamberlain; McLean, Maguire, Brown, Hobson; Morgan-Smith

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:
Lynch; Teale, Nsiala, Earl; Rooney, Patterson, Robertson, Broom, Hayes; Graydon, Marriott

We say: Kidderminster Harriers 1-2 Fleetwood Town

With both sides struggling in their respective divisions, the two may have their priorities based elsewhere ahead of this clash.

Fleetwood have fielded relatively strong teams in their cup fixtures so far though, and should Johnson do so again, they should get the better of their fifth-tier hosts here.


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