Harriers Chatter

[align=center]MotM: Harriers 4 Stevenage Borough 2[/align]

Harriers stage the biggest comeback of all time to beat a team that had their own greatest comeback against us two seasons ago.

The introduction of Martin Brittain was our turning point. Does he get the vote or does it go to one of the other goal scorers?


Once you've voted then fill in the mini questionnaire by copying and pasting the questions below into a reply to this.

Overall View of the Match?

Best Harriers Player?

Key Moment?

Most Controversial Moment?

Rate the Ref?

Views on the Opposition?

How were the fans/atmosphere?

Rate each Harriers player out of ten?

Overall View of the Match?

For the first 20 minutes I was getting neck ache the ball was in the air so much, but when we got the ball down and played it we looked very comfortable albeit against 10 men. First half we were poor (until Brittain came on), second half we looked good and could have gone on to score more.

Best Harriers Player?

Martin Brittain, turned the game when he came on. He gave us the much needed width against the 10 men. Set up MBH and Russ Penn for their goals and got a much deserved goal himself to round off a magnificent 60 minutes on the pitch.

Key Moment?

The sending off of Murphy for the two footed lunge on Penn.

Most Controversial Moment?

Probably the sending off, especially as the ref first pulled out a yellow and then put it back in his pocket before producing the red.

Rate the Ref?

One or two odd decisions but overall not too bad. Definitely not the worst we’ve ever had.

Views on the Opposition?

You could see why they are near the play-offs and definitely started the game better than we did. Unfortunately for them it will be another year in the conference but certainly a team to watch out for next year.

How were the fans/atmosphere?

Great atmosphere today and plenty of singing.

Overall View of the Match? The perfect start to the most important week of the season

Best Harriers Player? Brittain for the goals, Penn a close second.

Key Moment? not the sending off, but Morrison's miss to make it 3-1

Most Controversial Moment? That Stevenage git not getting booked for lying all over the field for 20 mins.

Rate the Ref? Had a good game.

Views on the Opposition? Will i feel still be in the play-offs; effective counter attacking side.

How were the fans/atmosphere? Always sweet to put one over on a particularly charmless set of supporters ; 2-0 and you f***ed it up indeed!! Nice to see them fighting among themselves too- class!!!

Rate each Harriers player out of ten? Bartlett 7, Lowe 6, Creighton 7 Baker 6 Riley 6, Bennett 7, McPhee 6, Penn 8, Knights 5, Barnes Homer 7, Richards 7, Brittain 9, Moore 7.

Overall View of the Match? played well after sending off my bringing on brittain a good move this stretched them gave them to much possession in last 10 mins

Best Harriers Player? brittain

Key Moment? sending off
Most Controversial Moment?

Rate the Ref? 7/10
Views on the Opposition? hard and in your face typical stevenage

How were the fans/atmosphere? better 2nd half

Rate each Harriers player out of ten? bartlett 5 lowe 6 riley 6 creighton 8 baker 7 brittain 9 bennett 6 mcphee 8 penn 8 richards 7 barnsey 7 knights 5 moore not enough time

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Overall View of the Match? Bad beginning which got better. We did NOT surrender. Stevenage were reduced to cheating. Really not a very good side. Morison is their only decent player

Best Harriers Player? Brittain. Not my favourite normally. He is usually a lazy git but rose to the occasion today.

Key Moment? The sending off. They should have had more yellows for timewasting 1st half.

Most Controversial Moment? Stevenage realising that they could con the ref all afternoon.

Rate the Ref? Gullible. Gave too many wrong decisions

Views on the Opposition? Without Morison, mid table side.

How were the fans/atmosphere? Lovely to see Stevanage fans silenced. Harriers fans very good.

Rate each Harriers player out of ten? Bartlett 4, Lowe 7, Creighton 7 Baker 8 Riley 7, Bennett 8, McPhee 8, Penn 8, Knights 5, Barnes Homer 8, Richards 7, Brittain 9, Moore 5.

Overall View of the Match?
Shakey start but improved alot.
Best Harriers Player?
Russ Penn
Key Moment?
scoring the 4th goal/
Most Controversial Moment?
final whistle
Rate the Ref?
8/10
Views on the Opposition?
not bad second half i think we played them off the park.
How were the fans/atmosphere?
of corse stevnage sung when they scored but credit to harriers supporters stickin with the team backing them all the way. was Geat at one point sounded like the whole gruond was singing. Fantastic

A poor start by the Harriers today saw two basic defensive errors which were snapped up with ease by the Stevenage side. Their unbeaten run is over after 20 plus games yet they must have thought another win had been secured with relative ease after the opening exchanges which saw Harriers nowhere.

We were slow in all departments and were making little if any impression and only Penn seemed to be able to lift his pace and effort to that which was clearly required. I didn't see the incident well enough from the town end to assess whether it was a red card or not and even with Stevenage down to 10 players I did not expect what was to come. Had we continued as we were I reckon they would have seen the game out and we would have lost 2 - 0.

Bringing on Brittain after 35 minutes and reverting to 4-4-2 and there was an inkling we could make a fight of it. The goal just before half-time was the spark of hope and belief which was carried forward into the second half with a bullet header from a Brittain cross for Penn to claim his fifth of the season, Richards scoring with a shot off the post and Brittain rounding off his display with a richly deserved goal.

The so well organised Stevenage which had been so effective for the first twenty minutes was but a distant memory as their side was unable to cope with the re-invigurated Harriers.

Todays game may be the defining moment of the season - it certainly deserves to be for when you thought all was lost the shape of the team was changed and it delivered a competative pace and efort in all departments. Many will give Brittain Man of the Match as it was his introduction which changed our game but I'll go for Russ Penn for his efforts from the start of the game which reminded me of his performances of last season and the season before. His goal drew us level and in that moment we knew we could and would win this game.

The belief remains intact against a prime rival for that fifth spot and the return at their place in a couple of weeks will no doubt be a massive game for both sides but we have the edge at close of business tonight.

Overall View of the Match? Today saw possibly the best comeback since the game against Leyton on Boxing day 02 (Match report here > http://www.harriers-online.co.uk/season02-03/reports02-03/leyt_h_26-12-02.html) After putting up the Harriers-Online flag I took my place for the game, atmosphere was brilliant the North stand was pretty loud from kickoff. So when Boylan put the ball over the line for the first goal following Baker's lack of marking, I was fairly shocked and bemused. After all we were getting behind them! Or do the players have to perform occasionally aswell. After conceding the second via Bartletts stupid mistake a la Cambridge at home earlier in the season, I feared that we were doomed and my prediction (3-2 like Wembley)

The completely ineffective and useless Knights (I really cant see why the guy is playing, he's set up 5 goals this season, but hasn't been a real obvious threat IMO) was replaced by Brittain and the game got turned on its head with the sending off of Murphy. As i didn't see the decision I cant comment but a red is good all the same. MBH's goal set us up and gave us initiative, and raised the effort stakes as we tried to get back into the game. The galvanised Penn was looking ever lively during the latter stages of the half. During half time the chances of us getting back into the game were discussed at half time and we all agreed that it was definately possible. And lo and behold after 4 minutes of the second half the Referee waved play on for Brittain to run along the right flank and put a superb ball into Penn who arrived late at the far post and put a header far behind the keeper Day (Who i would've prefered if he was replaced by Bayes, Kiddy Legend in the way the fans react to the guy. I remember vs Grays when we won 2-1 the game was dominated by 'Ashley Bayes, What a W*nker' chants)

The goals continued to flow as we started to believe that it was possible this time Richards ran down a defender in the hope that he would slip up, and he did allowing him to nip in and put a well placed finish with the outside of his foot into the post and in. My part of the ground went into raptures and mass celebrating. 2 minutes later and the key part in the game Brittain got his goal following a good ball from the left by Penn and he struck it superbly into the goal. Thoroughly deserved for the guy, cue more air thumping and mass jumping, I swear i must've got about 4 foot off the ground! After that we shut up shop and whilst Stevenage continuted to have chances (The shot that hit the bar and the rebound that was headed over by Lowe) we seemed to be in control. The chants of 'Two nil and you F*cked it up' put the icing on the cake and the memories of Wembley seemed to be banished. Brilliant team effort and THE BEST atmosphere all season, please keep it up! I'll be doing my bit to do so.

Best Harriers Player? 16. Martin Brittain. His appearance made all the difference and adds to why I think he is still a class player

Key Moment? MBH's goal, galvanised the side

Most Controversial Moment? Red card, I didn't see anything.

Rate the Ref? 5/10, very easily swayed by the Stevo players

Views on the Opposition? Not bad at all and their two goals summed it up. But i think if we play like we did against them then we can win the playoffs and needn't worry about teams of their calibre.

How were the fans/atmosphere? 11/10 Seriously, we were fantastic and even when we were 2-1 down the place was loud and passionate. Well done everyone who opened their mouths and joined in with the Chanting!

Rate each Harriers player out of ten?
Bartlett - 7 - Bad mistake but made up for it by that save tipping it onto the post
Lowe - 8
Riley - 8
Creghton - 7 - Made a few dodgy backpasses but none of them came to anything
Knights - 4 - Poor
Benno - 8 - Did his job well and late on he showed that he can still attack and make runs. Is the real Benno on his way back?
McPhee - 8
Penn - 8.5
Richards - 8
MBH - 8
Brittain - 9.5
Carr - 6 - Didn't have the time to get started
Moore - Needs more time really, looked lazy though...

I must admit i was on suicide row at the break. Couldnt see a way back and thought we had blown it completely. Some texts i sent at the break made me look pretty stupid ay 90 mins

But that 2nd period was awesome - Brilliant goal by Penn, Brilliant goal by Brittain.

The continued critics will say MBH and JR dont work hard enough - Well i dont give a stuff, they score goals and continue to score goals and are a complete handful.

Proud to be a Harrier today, absolutely superb victory.

I also heard in the arms that Setanta are doing adverts for the play-offs and the trailers do not feature any shots of kiddy in them............totally disrespectful and whilst we may yet miss out, we are entitled to be considered...........Setanta

What a great come back which highlighted the strength in the squad that MY has assembled over the last 3 years. Against Woking we pissed it down the middle tearing the Woking defense apart. I did think before the match that some width and Brittan might be the way forward against a strong Stevenage side but I can see why Yatesy stuck with the team that had won 5-1 days earlier. There are not many sides in this league who can mix it up the way we can now...and to think a few months ago we supposedly didn't have a plan B. Great character from the side and some great performances across the board, when MBH and Richards are confident and on form they are quality.

"Two nil and you f*ucked it up!!!" ha ha .At least we won't have to listen to that again for a while.

Overall View of the Match? First 40 minutes Harriers were woeful - am I the only one who thinks Richards is slumming it during games, his effort in the first half was criminal. Creaky defence guilty of schoolboy errors - first half none of the defence were blameless.

Best Harriers Player? My vote goes to Deano, the only player for the whole of the game who tried to get the ball down and play, saw glimpses of the old Deano of 99/00. Not the most headline performance (Penn/Brittain) - but the most consistent where it mattered.

Key Moment? The sending off - full marks to the ref.

Most Controversial Moment? the theatricals of several Nidge players trying to con the referee.

Rate the Ref? 8/10 Thought he did OK - got the vast majority of decisions right.

Views on the Opposition? Quicker to the ball in the first half and hustled Kiddy out of their comfort zone, several class players - shame about the pantomime attitude at times - a good team don't need to do that.

How were the fans/atmosphere? Second half sounded very loud and got behind the team - shows it can be done

Rate each Harriers player out of ten?

Bartlett 6 Basic error for the second goal, should know better., ball should have gone to row 'Z'

Lowe 6 Several mistakes today which are not typical - got done for the cross on the first goal.

Creighton 7 Solid - won everything in the air, led by example.

Riley 7 Odd mistake creeping in, poor clearances at times.

Baker 6 Glaringly guilty of ball watching for the first goal otherwise good game.

Penn 8 Brilliant goal and looked back to his best at times - kept going throughout the game.

Bennett 9 Unsung hero who did the dirty work all afternoon, of running/tackling and closing down and still found the energy (Richards take note) to run in behind the opposition back line - just hope the legs keep going!!

Knights 6 Tries hard - just not sure he's physically equipped for BSP at the moment, too easily brushed aside in a physical match like today

McPhee 8 At times imperious, if allowed space and time looks a real class player, although I thought he was too deep at times in the first half.

MBH 8 Totally committed never stopped running deserved his goal, will probably finish up top scorer.

Richards 6 First half, looked totally disinterested, lazy and just didn't want to be there, attitude with a capital 'A'-
redeemed his reputation with a super goal and looked a little more up for it second half, but the BSP is his level - there is no way he will be good enough should Harriers get to the promised land!!

Brittain 8.5 Absolute class performance, Beckhamesque at times with his crossing, and he scored a goal with a chance that could have ended up in the car park - but didn't!!

Moore 6 not really long enough to do himself justice

Carr Even less time.


And a word for the manager For once I thought Mark Yates got it spot on - often guilty of being slow to react when needed - today I thought he played his cards about right - although I still think the front men need replacing sooner as the tiredness becomes obvious.

I think that if we beat FGR, he can rest the front two against the fleet.

MOTM - Brittain, instrumental. Changed the game.

I brought a friend along today.. He was VERY impressed, but I think I injured him celebrating the second...and third...and fourth goals, jumping on him!

Haha, third and fourth though the men from behind us joined in, fantastic stuff!

My forearm did get a bit of a smash but completely worth it!!!

Once you've voted then fill in the mini questionnaire by copying and pasting the questions below into a reply to this.

Overall View of the Match? For excitement and enjoyment, best game for a year or more.

Best Harriers Player? Could have been Creighton, Bennett, or Brittain, but I give MoM to Penn.

Key Moment? The red card, that I didn't see from the East Stand.

Most Controversial Moment? The red card,

Rate the Ref? 8/10 OK. Can't believe he didn't book their neanderthal No. 24 when he took Penn out by the East Stand touchline.

Views on the Opposition? They looked a fair side, with 11 and 10 men.

How were the fans/atmosphere? Excellent.

Rate each Harriers player out of ten?

Bartlett 7 OK he gave a goal away but how many does he save.
Lowe 7
Baker 7.5
Riley 7
Creighton 8
Knights 7 Brittain 8
McPhee 8
Bennett 8
Penn 8
MBH 7
Richards 7