1:43pm Tuesday 16th March 2010
DEFIANT captain Chris McPhee believes Harriers can put their FA Trophy misery behind them and get back on track in the race for the Blue Square Premier play-offs at Luton Town tonight (7.45pm kick-off).
The Aggborough outfit will be hoping to bounce back from their 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Stevenage in the FA Trophy semi-final first leg on Saturday and gain three points at Kenilworth Road.
Saturday's defeat left them with a mountain to climb in Saturday's second leg at Broadhall Way but McPhee believes a trip to the Hatters gives the team the chance to show what they're made of.
He also urged the fans not to give up hope in the Trophy or the play-offs this season.
Harriers are 10th in the table and 11 points behind fifth-placed Kettering but have at least two games in hand, and in some cases more, over all the teams ahead of them.
"The manager [Steve Burr] was disappointed because we knew what to expect from Stevenage but didn't deal with it very well," commented Harriers' skipper.
"But we've got to put that result behind us and get on with the rest of the season because we've still got a chance of making the play-offs.
"Luton were one of big winners when Chester had their records expunged, while Mansfield and Stevenage lost more points.
"They've had some peaks and troughs this season but they're in a good position.
"But this is a game against one of our rivals for the play-offs, so it's a chance to bounce back from the defeat and gain some ground on the top five."
Harriers go into the game with manager Steve Burr set to make several changes for the league clash.
Gavin Caines, Martin Riley, Darryl Knights and Dean Bennett will all have fitness tests before the game, with James Lawrie, Robbie Matthews, Jack Byrne and Marc Goodfellow waiting in the wings if needed.
Former Harriers hitman Matthew Barnes-Homer is set to be included in Luton's squad for tonight's clash, despite the death of his father.
Barnes-Homer made a big money move to the Hatters in January after bagging 36 goals for Harriers in two-and-a-half seasons.
McPhee said: "Matthew was unpredictable. Sometimes he would score a goal out of nothing and then he would disappear in games.
"But we know him well and hopefully we'll be able to deal with him if he plays."
Luton boss Richard Money is without long-term injuries Kevin Nicholls, Lewis Emmanuel and Ryan Charles, while Liam Hatch and Adam Newton are also doubts.
Meanwhile, Harriers defender Liam Dolman's loan to Corby Town has been extended until the end of the season.
Harriers' league clash at Hayes and Yeading, which has already been moved once, has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 15 (7.45pm kick-off).
Don't miss any of the action at Kenilworth Road tonight (7.45pm kick-off) - just log onto our live minute-by-minute match coverage to keep up with how Harriers are faring. You can also comment on the action a sit unfolds.
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