The final week…
It's finally over - the slog of pre-season has passed for another year and Craig Hinton has lived to tell the tale. He talks to Ian Clarkson about the final week of Kidderminster Harriers' preparations as they bid to start the season on a high note against Mansfield this Saturday.
We were given a day off for rest and recuperation last Thursday, which was excellent as it gave us a real chance to recharge the batteries. Friday morning saw us run through some more pattern play as the lads are ironing out any creases in our 3-5-2 formation and we finished off with a session of crossing and shooting.
Saturday was our final pre-season friendly and this time it was slightly different to our last three fixtures in that we were the favourites. We travelled to local neighbours, Hereford United, who are in the Conference, in what proved to be an excellent workout.
We didn't play as well as we could have done and they were really up for the game. I think the lads were still a bit heavy legged from the week's exertions and the heat was really difficult too, but I am not making any excuses as we lost 2-1.
It was a real wake up call for us because it was more like a Third Division game will be, as opposed to some of the friendlies against the higher ranking teams we have had. Hopefully, the defeat will have done us some good although our manager, Ian Britton wasn't impressed at all!
We did have Sunday off, but I should imagine we were close to coming in and training. Nevertheless, we made up for it on Monday as our athletics coach, Bob Ashwood, ran the socks off us all morning. We followed that up with some more pattern play and extra work for the defence after conceding two goals at Edgar Street.
Tuesday was a sharp morning, which incorporated an eight-a-side, but once again the mugginess and heat meant that the sweat was pouring off us and a big volume of water was called for.
We also undertook some more pattern play before heading back to Aggborough for the photo call in the afternoon. It was a chance for us to show off our new kit although some of the lads spent rather too much time on their hair. John Danby, our goalkeeper applied so much gel to his barnet that it looked like a scene from "Something about Mary," and I am sure you all know what I am talking about!
There were lots of press there and even Sky made an appearance so I was delighted to be standing between Sam Shilton and Matthew Gadsby as it made me appear even more good looking!
We had one final running session with Bob on Wednesday and were given today off as the preparations hot up for Saturday's game against Mansfield. Overall, I think pre-season has gone rather well and I certainly feel pretty fit for the forthcoming nine months - I just hope we can be successful.
