HARRIERS pre-season preparations got off to a faltering start this week with a defeat against Championship side Derby County.

The Rams showed their class as they strode to a comfortable victory at Aggborough thanks to goals from former England strikers David Nugent and Darren Bent.

Harriers were competitive throughout and kept the visitors on their toes, but further finishes from Craig Bryson and Chris Martin put the game to bed.

Both teams fielded different sides in each half, with Harriers on-trial goalkeeper denying Derby on a few occasions.

Kidderminster were due to play another Championship side in Aston Villa last night (Wednesday), before making the short trip to Stourport Swifts on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Harriers will then travel to Redditch United for another pre-season friendly on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

The pre-season games are the first time Harriers fan will see a brand new name on the back of the team’s kit, after the club agreed a sponsorship deal with Midlands company MKG Foods.

The deal will see the MKG Foods logo appearing on the back of the match shirts and shorts of Harriers players both at Aggborough for the forthcoming season and up and down the country at away games.

MKG Foods supply food to a whole host of names through the Midlands and fans will have already tucked into their goods after the firm was appointed suppliers to the re-launched Harriers Arms pub at Aggborough Stadium.

Philip Mayling, of MKG Foods, said: “We're delighted to be sponsoring the Harriers this year and look forward to supplying quality food to the team and the fans.

“It's exciting to be involved with a club on the up and I hope our relationship will be a match made in heaven.”

Matty Paddock, Harriers’ media and operations manager, added: “The fact that the new food menu in the Harriers Arms has been such a hit so early tells you all you need to know about MKG’s quality in terms of a product.

“It is a real opportunity for us to build on a relationship with another company who’ve strived to achieve things in our local area, right here in the Midlands – something that’s really important to us as a business.

“We look forward to seeing the MKG Foods brand on the iconic Harriers colours throughout the season.”