Hurren on a Trophy mission for Harriers
May 11 2007 By Colin Stoner, Non-League Correspondent
Gavin Hurren has yet to score a hat-trick in Kidderminster Harriers colours but there's one treble he would love to bag tomorrow.
Having scored vital goals in the quarter-final and semi-final wins, the midfielder reckons it would be a perfect Boy's Own tale to find the target again in tomorrow's FA Trophy final against Stevenage Borough.
The dream of stepping out on to the Wembley turf will become a reality but the 21-year-old stressed that it would be a nightmare to come away only with memories of the day, rather than a winning performance.
"I said it would be a dream to get to the Trophy and it took a while to sink in that we were going to be playing at Wembley," said Hurren.
"I went there once when I was very young to watch England schoolboys, with Michael Owen playing, and it's the biggest stage in the world, I believe.
"It's a brand new stadium, it's going to be fantastic day out for friends, family and the fans. But it's the result that matters. That will decide whether it's a great day or not."
Hurren, who had begun his career as a Nottingham Forest trainee before joining Harriers two summers ago, has been an effervescent presence in Harriers' engine room.
And he believes the whole team will need to be fizzing like a shaken-up bottle of pop to seize the initiative against Conference rivals Stevenage.
Though Harriers had staggered over the finishing line in the league, Hurren says a two-week build-up to the Trophy final has been perfect to recharge the batteries and concentrate on the club's fourth Trophy final appearance.
"The lads are looking really sharp. The two weeks' training we have had has helped us," said Hurren. "We are not as tired, we are a lot, lot stronger and we are ready for Wembley. Hopefully, what we have worked on in the last couple of weeks will help us on the day.
"We know Stevenage like to pass the ball and play pretty football. If we let them play they will hurt us. Our game is all about playing on the front foot, getting nice and tight on the opposition and upsetting their game."
Harriers managed only two wins in 12 matches since qualifying for the final but one of those victories was at Broadhall Way, home of Mark Stimson's Stevenage side six weeks ago. Optimism is not short around Aggborough.
"It's been unfortunate that we didn't get the results we wanted in the run-in but confidence is high," said Penn. "We know we have got the strikers and the midfielders to score goals and the quality in the team to create chances."
Now, though, is the anxious countdown. Only the suspended Jonny Harkness is ruled out of the squad for Wembley but manager Mark Yates is keeping his line-up close to his chest.
