Express & Star

Mark Yates targets perfect finish for Kidderminster Harriers

Boss Mark Yates is targeting a perfect finish for Kidderminster Harriers as they look to gatecrash the National League North play-offs.

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Harriers enter a pivotal Easter weekend ninth in the table, four points adrift of seventh-placed AFC Telford and Yates acknowledges they will likely need to win all three of their remaining games to stand a chance of erasing the deficit.

A Midlands derby with Leamington is first up at Aggborough tomorrow (kick-off 3pm), before an Easter Monday trip to Southport.

Harriers then complete their campaign when they host Guiseley on Saturday week.

Yates said: “We have to make sure by the end of the season we have done everything we can.

“We want to get to next Saturday night having won all three games and sitting on 68 points.

“Hopefully that will be enough, although we know it will require some of the teams above us to slip up.

“It is all we can do. We have to keep taking it one game at a time and see where we end up.”

Goalkeeper Brandon Hall faces a late fitness test after missing last weekend’s 1-0 win at FC United through injury. Tom Palmer is again ready to deputise if required.

Harriers could, meanwhile, welcome back midfielder Declan Weeks for Monday’s trip to Southport.

Tomorrow’s visitors Leamington sit 16th in the table and Yates has no shortage of admiration for their long-serving boss, Paul Holleran.

He said: “I have known Paul for a long time and we talk often about the game. He has done a fantastic job at Leamington.

“It’s a Bank Holiday so we should hopefully get a decent crowd but we know it is going to be a tough game.”