No county comforts for Latics hitman Matt (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

No county comforts for Latics hitman Matt

9:05am Thursday 1st November 2012 in News

LATICS striker Matt Smith will have to put his loyalty to his home county to one side for Saturday’s FA Cup first round clash at Kidderminster.

The strapping 23-year-old grew up in Evesham but will be hoping to gun down Harriers at Aggborough.

He has fond memories of the Aggborough outfit because his father, Ian, played as left-back for the Reds in the 1980s.

His dad, who also featured for Birmingham City as a striker, will be at the game on Saturday to cheer on his son and watch his old club in action.

Smith is no stranger to Harriers’ Hoo Road home, playing against their juniors as a youngster for Evesham.

“My dad was a striker for Birmingham City but he also played for Kidderminster Harriers as a left-back,” said Smith.

“He’s got very excited by the clash on Saturday and I’ve got a lot of friends and family coming down to watch the game.

“I always keep my eye out for the Birmingham results but Harriers were the big team in Worcestershire I have always followed them.

“For me this game is even more special because it will be like coming home.”

Smith has made a steady rise up the football ranks. After being released by Cheltenham as an 18-year-old, he started out playing Stourport Swifts and Droylsden before strutting his stuff for Redditch United and Solihull Borough.

It was his goal-laden form for Borough which earned him a move to Oldham Athletic in the summer of 2011.

He also played for England C and represented Great Britain at the World University Games last year.

He has scored nine goals in 45 appearances for Oldham.

Smith has also gained a degree in international management with American Studies from the University of Manchester, spending one year at Arizona State University He said: “Football is such a small world now.

“We know we’re in for a very tough game and we’ll be taking it very seriously.

“I played for a number of clubs but it was my time as Redditch United and Solihull in the Conference North where I scored a few goals that got me noticed.

“I am in my second season with Oldham and I think I have improved a lot since joining.”