Non-league round-up: Kidderminster Harriers boss wants more heading into Bank Holiday double
Adam Murray wants his Kidderminster Harriers players to take the handbrake off heading into a Bank Holiday double bill.
Harriers head to AFC Fylde on Saturday, before hosting Leamington at Aggborough on Monday as the National League North season clicks into gear.
Murray has seen his new-look team take five points from their opening three matches and while satisfied with the return, the boss believes his team have been guilty of playing it too safe in draws with Worksop and Oxford City.
He said: “There’s an awful lot of quality in this group but they have to free themselves up a bit.
“At the minute it is like: ‘I don’t want to make a mistake, I want to be safe’.
“That is not my way of playing. For us to move to the next level, we just need certain things to click. Certain people need to step up to the plate.
“Once we do that, I have no doubt we will have a successful season.
“My thing is in this process we are in we have to pick points up and we are doing that.
“But we want more and we want it quicker.”
Rushall Olympic boss Ian Long is targeting reinforcements up front as his team continue their “brutal” start to the Northern Premier League season.
The Pics went top of the league thanks to Tuesday night’s 1-0 home win over Ashton United but Long has been unimpressed with the congested fixture list.
He told the Express & Star: “It’s been a really brutal start and I personally don’t think there was any need for this midweek’s round of games.
“We played Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday in the first week, which is fine.
“But to then play Tuesday again, ahead of playing Saturday and Monday. I just think at this stage, so early in the season, it is a lot for non-league footballers.
“That said, we did win the game so I am obviously pleased about that.”
Long is hoping to make two attacking additions before a Bank Holiday weekend which sees his team host Stockton Town on Saturday before a derby clash with Hednesford Town on Monday.
The Pitmen, who visit Morpeth Town on Saturday, suffered their first defeat of the season in midweek when they were beaten at Prescot Cables but Long sees them as favourites for the title.
He said: “They are favourites with the bookies and you don’t often see a bookie going to work on a bike, as my old man used to say.
“They have large investment, big resources and they have started the season well. I think you would have to say they are favourites.
“I am really pleased but it is still very early doors. Come and talk to me about league tables after 40 games and then we will see.”
Halesowen Town will be aiming to continue their strong start to the Southern League Premier Central season when they visit Stamford on Saturday. Stourbridge host one of the pre-season title favourites when they welcome Spalding United to the War Memorial Ground.
Chasetown host Vauxhall Motors in the Northern Premier League West Division, with Darlaston Town hosting Bootle and Stafford Rangers travelling to Wythenshawe Town.
In the Midlands Division, Lichfield City go to Carlton Town, while Sporting Khalsa host Wellingborough Town in the FA Trophy preliminary round.
