MARK Yates has greeted the release of the Conference fixtures with excitement after Harriers were handed a home start against newcomers St Albans City on opening day.

They will kick off their campaign against the Conference South play-off winners on Saturday, August 12 before their first away game at Burton Albion on Tuesday, August 15.

Harriers will lock horns with former Conference foes Rushden and Diamonds at Aggborough on Saturday, September 2 with the return match at Nene Park on Saturday, April 14.

The festive programme sees away games at Stafford on Boxing Day and Southport on December 30 with Cambridge visiting Kidderminster on New Year's Day.

Yates and his new-look squad are relishing the start of the season, although he is not overly concerned about the order in which Harriers face their rivals.

"There are no easy games and there will be 15 or 16 teams realistically thinking the same as us, that they can get to the play-offs," he said.

"The three teams who I think will be strong are Stevenage, Rushden and Oxford - after that it's whoever gets the most out of their squad.

"Those three will be up there and we want to be at the top end of the table competing for the play-offs."

Yates and assistant Neil Howarth will be doing their homework on St Albans to ensure Harriers know what to expect against the Conference newcomers on day one.

"I spoke to people last season who saw them play and they're a good footballing side," he added.

"I know their manager Colin Lippiatt from his Woking days and I spoke to him at the Conference meeting a few weeks ago.

"Hopefully it won't be baking hot because the weather often wins the day in the first game of the season."