PREVIEW: Luton Town v Kidderminster Harriers

An article in the national papers last month reported that from the last 24 league games, Harriers had won 20 of them, a stat that rivalled the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

What makes Kidderminster’s efforts even more impressive is at the start of the season, they failed to garner a single victory from their opening 10 matches, picking up five wins and five draws.

When asked about the record, Harriers boss Steve Burr said: “I’ve been told our record is as good as Manchester United’s.

“I wouldn’t know because I never really look at those statistics. But from where we were to where we are now has been an incredible journey.”

The stunning form his side have been in has seen other clubs naturally interested in his services, but Burr has never wanted to leave Aggborough, adding: “‘I’ve stayed loyal when clubs such as Grimsby have come in for me and I’d like to think that loyalty was being repaid. ‘In my time I could have moved on. But I like it at Kidderminster.”

On just how Kidderminster have achieved success this season, particularly when selling leading scorer Jamilee Matt to Fleetwood for £300,0000, Burr continued: “They are a young group and the beauty of it is that they have no fear. No fear of losing.

‘I’ve been the sort of manager who doesn’t have a fear of losing. Even if we concede four goals, I’m happy as long as we have scored five.

‘I think it’s that atmosphere of encouragement. I want them to come to training with a smile on their faces. Winning strengthens that. It has just snowballed from there at the club.”

Since the turn of the year, Harriers have been virtually unstoppable, with 14 wins from 18 games, although they were held to a 2-2 draw by Woking.

They go into the trip to Kenilworth Road at the top of the table though, with the title race now seemingly between themselves and Mansfield, just a point behind, but with three games in hand.

The signing of Michael Gash on loan from Cambridge has been a masterstroke though as the striker, now his third club of the season, has netted five in just seven games for the club.

Kidderminster are making plans for the future too, bringing in defender Jamie Grimes on a short term dean from Bedford Town, while captain Kyle Storer and goalkeeper Danny Lewis have both penned two year contracts.

Team news: Alex Lawless misses out again with injury, while Ronnie Henry will only play if needed as he requires a hernia operation, leaving just Danny Spiller and Garry Richards as long-term injuries.

Harriers have a full strength squad, with Marvin Johnson pushing for a start after his game-changing impact against Braintree.

Top BSBP scorer: Hatters – Andre Gray (11). Harriers – Anthony Malbon (16).

In charge: Steve Burr began his playing career with Stafford Rangers but it was with a summer 1984 move to Macclesfield Town that made a name for himself.

Started managerial life as assistant boss at Hucknall Town and then took charge of Hucknall Town before taking over at Northwich Victoria.

Won the Conference North title and was voted manager of the season in his time with Northwich although left in the club to move to Stalybridge Celtic and then Harriers in January 2010.

Is also part of the England C set-up as assistant manager to Paul Fairclough.

View from the opposition: Boss Steve Burr: “I’ve never beaten Luton! I’m hoping this is going to be the time we can actually go there and beat them but over eight or so games I think it is, I haven’t won one yet.

“Luton are always going to be the team to beat in this division because of the atmosphere that’s generated up at Kenilworth Road and the fact that they are by far the biggest club in this division.

“For teams to beat them is an absolute coup but I am amazed to see them where they are because you expect to see them competing and up at the top.

“John Still has gone in there, probably at the wrong time for us because he will get it right up there with changing things around.

“But we go there in no better form. Hopefully like last year we’ll take a lot of supporters and there will be a great atmosphere.”

One to watch: Anthony Malbon – it has been a crazy year for the striker as after four goals in 30 games, no-one would have imagined he would be topping the Harriers scoring charts.

Then on a run of 14 games without finding the net, he broke the duck against Cambridge and has gone on to notch in 10 of the last 13 games, hitting the target 12 times, including three in his last three.

Now in his second season with Harriers, the 21-year-old former Port Vale forward signed from Newcastle Town for £7,000 in January 2012 and notched eight in 17 last for Kidderminster last year.

Friendly faces: Town midfielder Adam Watkins had a brief spell on loan at Aggborough earlier this season, making four league appearances, before returning to Luton.

We’ve got form: Harriers find Luton one of their bogey teams as Kidderminster have never beaten Town in the league either home or away.

Their record at Kenilworth Road sees them having lost three of their four visits, taking just one point from 12, while Luton have scored six times to Harriers two.

Last time out: A packed Kenilworth Road saw Luton take a step closer to the play-offs last season by emerging as 1-0 winners in a tense affair with Harriers as Robbie Willmott’s fine individual strike on 67 minutes settled the outcome.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, George Pilkington, Jake Howells, Curtis Osano, Janos Kovacs, Keith Keane, Alex Lawless, Robbie Willmott (Shane Blackett 85), Stuart Fleetwood (Craig McAllister 82), Andre Gray, Adam Watkins (Godfrey Poku 78).

Subs not used: Dan Gleeson, Greg Taylor.

Attendance: 8,415.