The Harriers youth team beat their counterparts from Grimsby at Aggborough tonight in a match that was in all honesty an eye opener.

I don't get up to Aggie for the reserve or youth games much but from seeing tonights performance from the under 18's I think that some of the first teamers will have to watch their backs.

Four of our lads stood out for me, Inderpaul Khela, Phil Garner (who was awarded M.O.M. by Jan, he wears the No 3 shirt so watch out Stamper, sorry Emma!), Richard Langford, and Matt Lewis.

These are just a few of the lads who could make the breakthrough by the end of next season, Matt Lewis is a certainty.

Matt scored both goals tonight, one from a penalty after a handball and his second just before halftime when he volleyed home from just outside the box.

In between Grimsby scored from a corner when Thompson headed it past John Danby after he had failed to come for the ball.

Just before the halftime whistle we missed a chance to increase the lead further, a cross from Heath deflected off Langford and went the wrong side of the post with the keeper stranded.

Although there were no goals in the second half it was not from want of trying from both teams.

For the visitors the impressive, and tall, Darren Mansaram came close on three occasions.

The best move of the game was saved until almost the end when, from a long clearance, Matt Lewis ran onto the ball Larkin style, left the defenders for dead but at the last minute pulled his shot wide of the far post.

A well deserved win that must have left it's mark on the first teamers watching tonight.

Final score 2-1 infront of a crowd of 373.

Harriers will now meet either Nottingham Forest or Watford in the next round, this game is due to be played on Wed 23rd January.

Spooky bit. The refs name was A. Marriner.

Harriers:
Danby, Lowar, Garner, Smallman, Khela, Yates, Bailey, Glynn, Lewis, Langford, Heath.
Subs:
Carpenter, Alman, Henry, Willmore, McHale.

Grimsby:
Cranley, Parker, Kirwin, Thompson, Wheeler, Wall, Morfitt, Thorne, Mansaram, Soames, Cass.
Subs:
Fraser, Newton, Davy, Nimmo, Huckett.