Blues Match Preview: Chester FC v Kidderminster Harriers

Monday, 10 February 2025 16:59

Chester FC return to the Deva Stadium, on Tuesday night, for a huge clash with Kidderminster Harriers, after a run of four away games on the bounce.

Calum McIntyre’s side’s sensational 10-game unbeaten run was brought to an end by South Shields on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Kyle Crossley and Paul Blackett.

The defeat at the 1st Cloud Arena also ended a streak of seven wins on the spin for the Seals, a period which saw the club rise to the summit of the National League North.

It was our longest run of consecutive victories since the 2012/13 season, a campaign in which Neil Young led Chester to the Conference North title with a record-breaking points total of 107.

The Opposition

Harriers have endured a tough period in recent weeks and are without a win in their last three league encounters.

Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Chorley was preceded by a draw with Oxford City and a tight loss at Aggborough to Steve Watson’s Darlington.

Prior to the Carpetmen’s current slump in form, the club enjoyed a streak of five wins from six outings, which included impressive away successes over Radcliffe, Hereford and Scarborough Athletic.

Phil Brown’s side returned to the sixth tier in the summer after a one-year hiatus in the National League, a season which culminated in a 22nd-placed finish, after they had achieved play-off success in May 2023.

Kidderminster’s sole spell in the Football League lasted for five years after promotion from the Conference in 2000, before they returned courtesy of relegation from League Two in 2005.

The reverse fixture at Aggborough saw both sides settle for a point as Ashley Hemmings’ strike was cancelled out by a penalty from Charlie Caton in the 77th minute.

The Gaffer

Ex-Premier League boss Phil Brown has been in the dugout in Worcestershire for just over a year, after he was appointed in January 2024.

The 65-year-old remained at the club after the Harriers’ relegation to the National League North, and has managed to get the club embroiled in a scrap for an immediate return to the fifth tier this term.

Brown started his managerial career at Derby County between 2005-2006 but his most notable stint came in his second job, when he took Hull City to the top flight of English football for the first time in the club’s history.

After play-off success over Bristol City at Wembley, the boss guided the Tigers to survival in 2009, courtesy of a dramatic final day that saw Newcastle United and Middlesbrough relegated alongside West Bromwich Albion.

He was relieved of his duties in March 2010 and has since managed a plethora of clubs, including Preston North End, Southend United and Swindon Town.

Brown’s playing career consisted of spells at Hartlepool United, Halifax Town, Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool, where he operated as a right-back.

One To Watch

Maziar Kouhyar has been a threat to defences in the National League North throughout the season.

The 27-year-old winger has six goals and four assists to his name during this campaign, including a pair of important strikes in the victories over Scarborough Athletic and Warrington Town in mid-January.

Kouhyar has picked up 10 caps for the Afghanistan national team, with his most recent appearance coming in a 2-2 draw against Cambodia in June 2022.

After starting his career in the youth setup at Coventry City, the forward has featured at first-team level for Walsall, Hereford and York City, before he made the switch to Worcestershire last summer on loan from the Minstermen.

League Form Guide

Chester FC | W17 D7 L7 | F48 A31 | Pos: 1st

Last three

Radcliffe (A) | W 3-0 | Scorers: Tom Peers x2, Harrison Burke

Peterborough Sports (A) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Fin Roberts

South Shields (A) | L 2-0 | Scorers: None

Kidderminster Harriers | W15 D5 L8 | F43 A23 | Pos: 6th

Last three

Darlington (H) | L 1-0 | Scorers: None

Oxford City (A) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Ashley Hemmings

Chorley (H) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Caleb Richards

Match Preview by Tom Bird.