A potential FA Cup giant-killing could be on the cards with sixth division outfit Kidderminster Harriers taking on Champions League hopefuls West Ham United.
The magic of the FA Cup will be on display when minnows Kidderminster Harriers welcome David Moyes’ West Ham United to Aggborough Stadium on Saturday.
It will be an occasion to remember for the English sixth division side as they aim to go up against one of the Premier League’s big boys. A win on the day will not just see the Carpetmen pull off one of the shocks of the season, but also equal their best run in the competition’s history.
Kidderminster’s best-ever performance in the competition was in the 1993/94 season when they made it to the fifth round. While it may be too big an ask to to repeat it this time around, the FA Cup has shown itself to be a competition for making dreams come true.
West Ham will be keen to return to winning ways following their 1-0 loss to Manchester United last time around. The Hammers will go into the game as heavy favourites against a side that sits 112 places below them in the English football pyramid.
Russell Penn’s side have already pulled off a shock in the FA Cup this season by getting the better of Championship side Reading in the third round. This saw them join an elite list of just nine non-league sides who have qualified for the fourth round since the second world war.
The onus will be on the Hammers to take the game to their opponents and come away without losing face. Although the east Londoners are eyeing a top-four finish in the Premier League and are well and truly alive in the Europa League, they should have enough quality in the squad to rotate and still get the better of the Carpetmen.
There are over 100 league positions between @Khfcofficial and @WestHam, but all will be decided on Saturday, with the Harriers hosting the Hammers in the 4th round @emiratesfacup clash ⚽️
Will the magic of the FA Cup strike again this weekend? ? #TakeYourChance pic.twitter.com/9l0RLtpzMh
— England Football (@EnglandFootball) February 1, 2022
Interestingly, West Ham were the team that ended Kidderminster’s 1994 FA Cup run in the fifth round. Whether the latter can turn the tables around this time remains to be seen. The Hard Tackle looks at how both teams could line up on the night and what tactics they might deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Kidderminster Harriers
The Carpetmen have a nearly full-strength squad at their disposal and will be expected to field their first-choice XI on Saturday. Ethan Freemantle is the only doubt for the game as he struggles with a hamstring issue. He looks set to undergo a late fitness test which will determine his participation.
Unlike West Ham, Kidderminster had no international break to deal with and were in action last weekend against Leamington. They came out 3-0 winners and should have better match fitness than their rivals.
Manager Russell Penn is likely to go with a 4-2-3-1 system that will look to outnumber West Ham in the middle of the pitch. Kidderminster are clearly the poorer side on a player-to-player basis and will need to rely on strength in numbers to make the difference. The formation will also allow Penn to organize his side into a 4-5-1 setup when out of possession.
Fantastic training session @khfcofficial this morning, thanks to manager @RussellPenn16 for the invite. Russ and asst Jimmy put on a terrific session, last one before the @EmiratesFACup tie v @WestHam live on @talkSPORT Sat – our coverage starts 11am pitchside at Aggborough pic.twitter.com/HEqXQcKukY
— Adrian Durham (@talkSPORTDrive) February 4, 2022
Luke Simpson looks set to start in goal behind a back four of Alex Penny, Nathan Cameron, Geraldo Bajrami and Caleb Richards. Cameron found the back of the net against Leamington and will be keen to make a nuisance of himself from set-pieces.
Meanwhile, Devonte Redmond and Mark Carrington appear likely to form the double pivot in the midfield. The duo will be responsible for ensuring that West Ham don’t run amok in the middle of the park. How well they perform could set the stage for Kidderminster’s more offensive-minded players to do their bit.
Ashley Hemmings is the sixth division side’s top scorer with 11 goals this season and is a sure starter on the left wing. He will likely pose the greatest threat to the Hammers defence and will look to link up with Sam Austin and Omari Sterling-James in an attacking capacity. Amari Morgan-Smith, the hero against Reading, is a safe bet to start upfront.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Simpson; Richards, Bajrami, Cameron, Penny; Redmond, Carrington; Hemmings, Austin, Sterling-James; Morgan-Smith
West Ham United
The Hammers are overwhelming favourites for the tie and will be keen to get back to winning ways after their rather cruel loss to Manchester United. Moyes will be without Angelo Ogbonna and Lukasz Fabianski, who are both out injured. After representing Jamaica in the World Cup qualifiers, Michail Antonio will also miss out.
The Scot looks set to deploy his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is likely to rest some of his first-choice players on the afternoon. Pablo Fornals, Declan Rice and Kurt Zouma could be some of the players set for a place on the bench. Alphonse Areola is expected to start in goal. The Frenchman will be the last line of defence behind the quartet of Ben Johnson, Ajibola Alese, Issa Diop and Ryan Fredericks.
Mark Noble looks set to earn a rare start and is expected to feature alongside Alex Kral in the double pivot. Who wins the battle between the two sets of anchormen is likely to decide the tie on the afternoon. Meanwhile, Said Benrahma is back from the Africa Cup of Nations and could return to the starting Lineup on the left flank.
Andriy Yarmolenko looks set to start on the other wing, with Nikola Vlasic acting as the attacking midfielder in the centre of the pitch. With Antonio unavailable, Jarrod Bowen looks set to lead the line. If anything, it shows just how short Moyes is in terms of his striking options.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Areola; Johnson, Alese, Diop, Fredericks; Noble, Kral; Benrahma, Vlasic, Yarmolenko; Bowen
Key Stats
- Kidderminster Harriers managed their best run in the FA Cup in the 1993/94 season, making it to the fifth round. A win against West Ham will see them equal that record.
- The last time West Ham United were dumped out of the FA Cup by a non-league side was in 1911/12 against Swindon Town. They have since won all ten matches against non-league opposition.
- Kidderminster Harriers have won their last five FA Cup games at home, a run that stretches back to 2013.
- Kidderminster have played top-flight opposition just twice. They are yet to win a single game.
- David Moyes has come up against non-league sides five times in the FA Cup. He remains unbeaten so far.
Player to Watch
Nikola Vlasic
The Croatian attacker has failed to hit the ground running at West Ham. While he has had the odd moments of genius, it has done precious little to garner him regular playtime.
Vlasic looks set to start against Kidderminster, and given the quality of the opposition, Vlasic has no option but to shine. The 24-year-old is capable of making defence-splitting passes and holding the ball up well. With an excellent shot on him, he can also pierce opposition defences from range.
The Croatian is due a match-winning performance, and one would assume he will put in just that against Kidderminster. Anything short of that will do little for him in his attempts to gain a regular starting spot.
Prediction
Kidderminster Harriers 0-3 West Ham United
The home side will give it their all and not lack heart on the afternoon. However, West Ham have the quality and also options they can bring off the bench. The Carpetmen can put up a good fight, but anything short of a comfortable Hammers win would be a surprise. David Moyes’ side should return to winning ways this weekend ahead of what is likely to be an exciting second half to the season.
