Preview | Kidderminster Harriers (H)

5 January 2024

Rochdale AFC vs Kidderminster Harriers | Vanarama National League, Saturday 6th January, Crown Oil Arena, 3pm Kick-Off

It's our first home match of the calendar year on Saturday, as Dale welcome Kidderminster Harriers to the Crown Oil Arena.

Get ready for the game by reading all of the pre-match build-up below.

MATCHDAY GUIDE

Coming to Saturday’s game? Check out all of the information you need to make the most of your visit HERE.

INTERVIEWS

There are interviews with Head Coach Jimmy McNulty and new recruit Kyron Gordon.

Gordon's first interview is on YouTube, whilst McNulty's interview, who announced his own registration as a player again, can be read HERE.

THE OPPOSITION

Kidderminster Harriers returned to the National League this season, following a seven year absence.

They beat Brackley Town 2-0 in the National League North playoffs to win promotion and currently sit bottom of the table.

Amari Morgan-Smith is their top scorer on six goals.

The game earlier in the season ended in 1-1 draw, when Ethan Ebanks-Landell cancelled out Joe Leesley's opener.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the 12th meeting between the two sides.

Dale have won two, Kidderminster have won four, and there have been five draws.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Garreth Rhodes will be the referee for Saturday’s game. He was in charge of our opening day game against Ebbsfleet United.

Stuart Richardson and Tom Bowkett are the assistant referees, with Oliver Nolan as the fourth official.

FOLLOW THE ACTION

All Dale fans, whether in the UK & Ireland or overseas, can watch the game live from home via the National League TV platform. Click HERE for full details.

There will also be live updates via the club’s official twitter account.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report | Dale 2-0 Kidderminster Harriers

6 January 2024

Tyrese Sinclair and Ian Henderson scored their tenth goals of the season as Dale ran out 2-0 winners at home to Kidderminster Harriers.

After a goalless first-half, a moment of improvisation from Sinclair on the hour mark broke the deadlock, before Henderson slid home a second 11 minutes later to seal the three points.

Kyron Gordon came in for his Dale debut, whilst Sinclair returned from a one-match suspension, in place of Kwaku Oduroh and the injured Jesurun Uchegbulam. Kyle Ferguson returned to the squad after over two months out through injury.

Neither side create too much by way of goalscoring opportunities in the first-half, with Ashley Hemmings having the visitors’ best two efforts, firing one wide and the other straight at Louie Moulden.

Ryan East and Cameron John both had shots blocked for Dale, who dominated possession, but couldn’t trouble Christian Dibble in the Harriers goal.

However, 15 minutes after the break, the goalkeeper was beaten by a spectacular effort from Sinclair.

Max Taylor clipped a ball forward for Sinclair to chase on to, and with his back to goal, he chested it down, turned and hit a looping volley over Dibble, to reach double figures in all competitions.

A little over ten minutes later, the lead was doubled. East sent a free-kick into the Kidderminster area, which Taylor stabbed goal wards for a second assist of the game, allowing Henderson to slide in from close range and turn home.

Dale never looked in any danger of allowing their opponents back into the game, and any brief glimpses of hope were quashed by strong defending, with Ethan Ebanks-Landell putting in at least one great block.

It was a third home clean sheet in a row for Jimmy McNulty’s men, who ended the night in the final National League playoff spot.

Dale XI | Moulden, Gordon (70’ Ferguson), Taylor, Ebanks-Landell, Armstrong, John, Gilmour, Sinclair (85’ Oduroh), Keohane, East, Henderson (90’ Burgess).

Unused subs | Oduroh, Ferguson, Edwards.

Standings