Bewdley Town 0 Harriers 3    Report by Morgan Nock

Harriers good start to pre-season continued results wise away at Bewdley Town, but a host of triallists and several first team players produced a lacklustre performance.

Right from the off, Harriers lost possession in good positions and had few, poor shots.  They almost tried to pass the ball into the net and Bewdley were allowed to break away, creating a few decent chances, often helped by Harriers keeper Dean Coleman.

Forward Lewis Pountney went closest for Bewdley when they wrong footed the Harriers defence and rattled the crossbar after some good link up play with Dan Ludlow.  On twenty minutes Harriers were awarded a penalty for a handball, Matt Barnes-Homer stepped up and saw his effort saved by Bewdley keeper Tom Harper.

The Harriers were never really pushing themselves, though Gavin Strachan's running must be commended, despite the occasional lack of end product.

Harriers overall, yet unconvincing, dominance finally saw efforts repaid when Lee Baker crossed for Damien Jarrett to tuck it away.  The half time whistle came with the hope that a revitalised side might start the second half.

First half side:
Dean Coleman, Duane Courtney, Jordan Street, Gavin Caines, Lee Baker, Damien Jarrett, Gavin Strachan, Brian Smikle, Darryl Knights, Matthew Barnes-Homer, Aaron Farrell.


The revitalisation never arrived and Bewdley put up a good fight, showing they were a decent outfit despite the obvious gap in quality.  They probably deserved a goal, which almost came when Dean Coleman spilled another cross straight to a Bewdley player who saw his shot blocked.

Dean Bennett saw a good shot saved with twenty minutes to go, and the Bewdley keeper, Harper, could only parry the ball into the path of the oncoming Aaron Farrell, who having missed several chances previous to this, tucked it away.

Eventually Bewdley succumbed to a third Harriers goal, after some good running from midfielder Kyle Mason, he played through Bennett who burst into the box and squared for Myles Jones to tap into the empty net.

Many of the triallists were unconvincing under the pressure, making mistakes and silly errors, and both of our keepers struggled with the downbeat, overcast conditions.  Dean Coleman's kicking was though, much improved.

Second half side:
Dean Coleman (Rob Holmes 77), Duane Courtney (Damien Jarrett 70), Jordan Street, Zac Costello, Lee Baker (Myles Jones 62), Dean Bennett, Gavin Strachan (Aaron Farrell 62), Nathan Hayward, David McDermott, Kyle Hadley, Nick Ingram.

Goals from:
Jarrett
Farrell
Jones