KIDDERMINSTER Harriers’ boss Mark Yates insists tomorrow’s clash at fellow Blue Square Premier promotion hopefuls Kettering Town (3pm) will not be all about Iyseden Christie.
The striker turned his back on the Aggborough club in the summer following a lucrative offer from Stevenage Borough but things did not work out down south for last season’s top-scorer at Harriers.
A loan move to the Poppies was quickly arranged on transfer deadline day and it is expected the transfer will be made permanent in January.
Christie turned down a move to York City this week in the hope that his stay at the A-Line Arena will be extended, even if it means a cut in wages from the contract he signed at Broadhall Way.
“In the summer, I decided to move on and I thought that was the right thing to do at the time,” Christie said.
“It was purely for football reasons — it was nothing to do with money. I just felt it was going to be a better option for me to go to Stevenage. Obviously, that didn’t work out, but I am at Kettering now and it will be good to see a few of the players tomorrow.
“It should be remembered how big a game this is with two sides who are right up there.”
Yates too is hoping the focus will be on the two teams, not just the player who departed in the summer.
“We know what Iyseden is about,” said Yates. “He is a good player who is unfortunately not with us any more.
“But this isn’t about him, this match is about two good teams going up against each other.”
Following Harriers’ 3-1 success against Ebbsfleet United last Saturday, the Aggborough outfit moved into fifth spot Christie’s winning strike for Kettering in the 2-1 victory at Salisbury City put his new side second.
Harriers’ new boy Stefan Moore could be in line for his full debut at the Poppies after the former Aston Villa striker impressed when he came off the bench last weekend.
With top-scorer Justin Richards missing out due to a hamstring injury, Moore is likely to get the nod over youngster Darryl Knights.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here