McPhee - it's not over yet (From Worcester News)

McPhee - it's not over yet

3:00pm Friday 19th March 2010 in

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HARRIERS captain Chris McPhee has urged the fans not to give up hope ahead of tomorrow's FA Trophy semi-final second leg at Stevenage Borough.

The Aggborough outfit have a mountain to climb if they are to make the Wembley showpiece final in May after losing 5-1 at home in the first leg.

Steve Burr's troops would have to score five goals and not concede to win the game outright, while four and a clean sheet would force extra-time.

Standing in their way is a Boro outfit that has lost just once in the last 39 home games.

Saturday's sobering defeat and Tuesday night's 3-1 loss at Luton in the Blue Square Premier mean that Harriers' chances of either making the Trophy final or the promotion play-offs are remote in the extreme.

But McPhee believes the team can go to Broadhall Way and restore some much needed pride.

He said: "I want the fans not to be too despondent and to back us because I don't think the season's over.

"I know a lot of people will think the season is over because we lost to Stevenage but we've still got a chance.

"Granted it's a long shot because we have to score four goals and not concede.

"But we must go there and at least save face and maybe we can do more.

"It was disappointing because I didn't feel that we deserved to lose to Stevenage 5-1.

"I thought they deserved to win it but the margin wasn't a fair reflection.

"In midfield we outplayed them but when it came to the box we didn't do enough.

"Stevenage had the edge in both penalty areas. They wanted it more and took their chances really well.

"But we know what we need to do for the return leg and we know we can go some way to put that right."

Burr will be hoping that Dean Bennett, Gavin Caines and John Finnigan all overcome injuries to make the game.

Finnigan has missed the last three games with a calf injury but his influence in midfield has been missed.

Jack Byrne and Marc Goodfellow are cup-tied but Darryl Knights and Adam Boyes could come into contention.

If Caines does not overcome a calf injury, then Tom Sharpe could keep his place in central defence after a rare run out at Luton in mid-week.

Stevenage will be without midfielder Michael Bostwick as he serves the second of his two-match suspension.

Lawrie Wilson (leg) is the only other absentee in Graham Westley's side.

Don't miss any of the action at Broadhall Way tomorrow (3pm 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.

Harriers also tied up 20-year-old midfielder Byrne until the end of next season.

Byrne impressed on his debut in Tuesday's loss at Luton Town.