AFC Telford United preview: Last-chance saloon for Bucks in hunt for play-off place

A big Bank Holiday atmosphere is expected at the SEAH Stadium today as AFC Telford United host local rivals Kidderminster Harriers in the National League North.

Telford’s hopes of a play-off place appear to have slipped away after a 2-1 defeat on the road at Chester on Good Friday, which extended their winless run to three games and left them four points off the top seven with just four games left.

Opponents Kidderminster will make the short trip to Shropshire looking to secure a top three spot and a guaranteed home play-off semi-final. However, they too have been in inconsistent form and have lost ground on Macclesfield, South Shields and AFC Fylde, meaning they might be forced to host a play-off quarter final at Aggborough come the end of the season.

Bucks boss Kevin Wilkin was in little doubt that his team will face a stern test against their closest rivals geographically, but felt that, even with the additional pressure of having to win to keep their promotion hopes alive, his team has the ability and character to respond to the challenge.

“Yeah, it's never easy playing Kidderminster, a full-time outfit,” he said when speaking after Friday’s defeat. “They were very good over the Christmas period (a 3-0 Bucks loss on 30th December), albeit we were seriously under strength on the day, but like I say, we know all the full-time teams that we play at this level are very, very good, very capable, with very good players in the group, and you have to be right on the money, which is a challenge, but we've proved to ourselves that we can meet that challenge.”

“It's still very much a game to look forward to. If we can be a bit more ruthless with our finishing and take the moments that come along, hopefully we will have a good game.

“Again, there’s lots to like about today, and it's sometimes difficult, when you've got such a terrific bunch of players in there that are very capable, when they switch off at moments and two restarts that have ended up costing us the game.

“I think those moments and situations are avoidable, and it's sometimes a bit more of a challenge when you're trying to put a bit of perspective on the game. I try to be measured in my comments. Clearly, I lost my rag in there (the dressing room) at the end of the game, and sometimes you have to, but look, we’ll dust ourselves down and hopefully step up to the plate on Monday.”

Telford will be without Ammar Dyer this afternoon after the full back was sent off for violent conduct last time out.

Top scorer Matty Stenson returned to the starting 11 at Chester after stepping up his road to recovery from a toe injury, but the short turnaround between fixtures may mean he has to start this game on the bench.

Charlie Williams is also nearing a return after a spell on the side-lines with a hamstring strain.