Whild: Harriers must cut out errors (From Worcester News)

Whild: Harriers must cut out errors

8:00am Thursday 9th February 2012 in News

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers must cut out the defensive errors which have cost them dearly, insists assistant manager Gary Whild.

The Aggborough outfit suffered their first back-to-back defeats of the season when they lost 2-1 to Luton Town in the third round of the FA Trophy on Tuesday night.

That defeat followed on from the Blue Square Bet Premier reverse at Stockport two weekends ago. Both defeats were marred by uncharacteristic mistakes at the back.

With a trip to in-form Tamworth in the Conference on Saturday (3pm kick-off), Harriers will have to find some solidity. The Lambs have taken four points off tough opposition, beating Cambridge and drawing at league leaders Fleetwood.

Whild believes his side need to quickly remember why they are fifth in the table and are one of the sides chasing the end-of-season promotion play-offs.

“We’ve generally defended solidly but in the last few games errors have started to creep in,” commented Harriers’ assistant manager.

“We’ve got to remember why we are in such a good position in the league and cut out some of the mistakes which are affecting us.

“We will have a look at the defence before Tamworth, we’ve got Michael Briscoe who can come in if we want to change things around.”

Saturday’s game could be in jeopardy with weather reports suggesting their may be a repeat of the freezing temperatures which disrupted last weekend.

Their trophy clash against Luton had to be delayed three days because of the Arctic conditions.

As a result, the league derby at AFC Telford, which had been scheduled for mid-week, has been switched to Tuesday, March 13 (7.45pm kick-off).

To prepare for the Lambs clash, Harriers are training on 3G pitches at Sutton Coldfield Town.

If the game goes ahead, manager Steve Burr will be able to welcome back cup-tied quartet Marvin Johnson, Anthony Malbon, Tony Breeden and Lee Hendrie.

Jack Byrne is close to returning after being ruled out for nearly a month with a knee injury but Tom Sharpe looks as though he will miss the rest of the season after seriously injuring his anterior cruciate ligament at Stockport.

Otherwise, Harriers will be looking in good shape for what is set to be a tight derby clash.

Meanwhile, the management team will assess whether they will extend the month-long loan of Hereford United winger James McQuilkin.

Whild added: “We’ll have to assess if we’re going to keep James for longer.

“For Saturday, we’ll have Lee Hendrie, Anthony Malbon, Tony Breeden and Marvin Johnson all available.

“James Vincent is back from injury and Jack Byrne’s not too far away now and to be fair, we’ve got to think about the lads we have here not just the guys we have on loan.”

Winger Rob Thompson-Brown’s loan at Solihull Moors has been extended an extra month until Monday, March 5.

Harriers take on Evesham United in the semi-finals of the Worcestershire Senior Cup next Wednesday at Aggborough (7.30pm kick-off).