Oldham are set to continue their playoff push when they welcome Kidderminster to Boundary Park on Saturday afternoon.
Four points from a tricky two-game road trip against Maidenhead United and York City pleased boss Micky Mellon ahead of their return to the Northwest, whilst Latics will look to capitalise on a favourable next three outings.
Mike Fondop has certainly taken advantage of this run over the past few weeks, finding the net once more at the York Community Stadium with a looping header just post the hour mark.
Will Davies’ headed effort pegged Oldham back and saw the sides share the spoils, though now on a four-game unbeaten run in the National League, with successive wins at Boundary Park in sight.
It did meanwhile see Mellon’s side extend their unbeaten run on the road to seven, whilst their home form has improved.
Three wins in their last four on their home turf will be encouraging for a Latics side just six points adrift of the automatic playoff places, whilst the Athletic faithful could be set to welcome Andrew Dallas back following a spell out through injury.
The Opposition
The Harriers have certainly endured a difficult campaign thus far and sit second from bottom, though they do find themselves in a good spell of form.
Their 2-0 defeat to a well-drilled Gateshead side in midweek ended a run where Kidderminster had gone unbeaten in five in league action, including four successive wins following the appointment of Phil Brown in mid-January.
Gateshead meanwhile are just the first side of a tough upcoming schedule, next facing Oldham and Solihull Moors away from home, who both have promotion aspirations.
Kidderminster’s four consecutive wins was their longest run of such this season, whilst their thrilling 4-2 triumph over Aldershot Town to spark that streak proved their ability to challenge the top sides in the National League.
Five points remains the gap to safety at this stage, though the Harriers are one of three in the bottom four with at least a game in hand on Ebbsfleet who are dangling on the edge of the drop zone.
Key Threat
Experience, movement and a prolific nature are just three things you would want in a centre forward at any level, Brown will be happy to have one in his ranks.
His nine goals this season in the league have always seemed to come at vital moments, or in a decisive stage and the new Harriers boss will need Amari Morgan-Smith to deliver at a critical period of the season.
Seven of Smith’s strikes have come in wins, timely much, though his ability in front of goal tends to show the final product, while the 34-year-old has shown so much more.
His work-rate and energy to lead from the front is invaluable for this Kidderminster side, this tenacious attitude is something his teammates will look for in the fight for survival.
Meanwhile his physicality cannot be ignored. Smith’s ability to shield the ball and be an outlet, or to create space (his effort v Aldershot) means the side from Worcestershire have a focal point they can rely on.
In the dugout
The hierarchy at Aggborough must have been left dumbfounded when they saw a manager with vast experience available, even if it is to be short-term marriage.
Brown has breathed new life into Kidderminster, who before his arrival had lost four of five National League fixtures, whilst his presence has seen the turnaround of an unrecognisable outfit.
Four successive victories saw hope restored that this Harriers side could in fact survive having been in the bottom four for 20 consecutive game weeks.
His nous will be appreciated in the dugout, his time at Hull City in the Premier League after guiding the Tigers to promotion for the 2008/09 campaign will live long in the memory for Brown.
A sustained period at Southend from 2013-2018 must be acknowledged after keeping the club in the EFL on numerous occasions, whilst it seems as though Brown likes going against the odds.
Joining a struggling Kidderminster side could see Brown once more defy the odds, and with 14 left to play, it remains all to play for.
Match Details
The referee will be Richard Eley, alongside assistants Lewis Mansfield-King and Daniel Woolley. The fourth official will be Elliot Bell.
Match coverage and information
Live audio commentary is available on Latics Player, guiding you through the match.
For more information, visit the Latics Player page by clicking here.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC
As this game is being played within the blocked broadcast hours stipulated by UEFA, live streaming will not be available through National League TV for supporters in the UK. The game will be available overseas.
Matchday passes are available for £9.50, with further details here.
As always, we will endeavour to ensure confirmation of the line-up is published as soon as possible.
However, supporters should note that team sheets in the National League are exchanged 15 minutes later than in the EFL and as a result, the line-up is likely to be published slightly later than in previous seasons.