Martin & Kidderminster Set For FA Cup Clash
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Keziah Martin will be hoping to help Kidderminster Harriers pull off one of the greatest shocks of the FA Cup when the non-league side meet top-flight West Ham United in the fourth round of the competition tomorrow [Saturday].
The Bermudian midfielder was impressive in Kidderminster’s 2-1 win over Sky Bet Championship team Reading in the previous round last month; he subsequently extended his stay at the Vanarama National League North outfit until the end of the season.
Martin, however, has missed his side’s last two league games through injury and has not featured since their 1-0 victory away to Kettering Town on January 25th.
The 21-year-old, who has made 19 appearances in all competitions this term, is expected to be part of the first-team squad against West Ham, as Kidderminster, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, go in search of another prized scalp.
Mark Carrington, the Kidderminster midfielder, told BBC Sport that Martin was “a quiet lad but a very energetic player who possesses a lovely left foot.”
He added: “He probably did not expect to feature as much as he has this season, but he’s slotted in really well and filled in well for some injured players.
“He came through the youth ranks at Solihull Moors, during which time he had a trial with Premier League Burnley. He came to us as a free agent after a year with Barnsley Under-23s.”
Russell Penn, the Harriers manager, has urged his team not to be overawed when they face their star-studded opponents at Aggborough Stadium at 8.30am [Bermuda time].
“They are a better team than us; we know that,” Penn told The Worcester News.
“They are going to have a lot of ball, but I want us to enjoy it, be confident with the ball and when we get into good positions, let’s have a go!”
