Rampant Harriers could have scored more

A dominant performance from Kidderminster Harriers saw off a weak Histon side who only threatened the Kidderminster goal once over the whole ninety minutes of play, while Kidderminster on the other hand hit three goals home and had plenty of chances to add to their score line.

The Harriers saw Robbie Matthews return to the starting line up after the departure of striker Damian Spencer, also James Lawrie was on the Harriers bench providing Harriers fans with their first glimpse of the Northern Ireland international striker in his initial one month loan from Port Vale.  Histon on the other hand boasted one name of any recognition with Charlie Sheringham, son of Teddy Sheringham the former Champions League final goalscorer and England international.

The dismal drizzle that was upon Aggborough at kick-off may have represented the Histon attack and overall performance as it only took four minutes for the Harriers to score their first goal against the Cambridgeshire side.  Lee Baker picked up the ball and crossed it in for Brian Smikle to put the ball over the line past goalkeeper Danny Naisbitt in the Histon goal and give him his third goal in as many games.  The winger appears to have recaptured his goal scoring form lately as he has become the Harriers leading goal scorer in his three game scoring run.

Subsequently the Harriers continued to take the lead in the play with it taking nearly twenty minutes for Histon to forge a way into the game with their best chance of the game, and one that they should have perhaps scored from was it not for the goalkeeping talent of Derby loanee Ross Atkins.

In the twenty second minute Gareth Gwillim sent a free kick over to the Harriers far post which was met by the firm head of Nathanial Knight-Percival who sent a goalbound header towards the bottom corner but a diving Atkins kept and caught the ball to carry on his good form in the Harriers goal following his superb double save against Oxford in the FA Trophy.

From then until half time all the Harriers had to show for the twenty three minutes play that followed was a poorly taken short corner that lead to absolutely nothing and the game lost its energy as both sides plodded in at half time with the Harriers leading 1-0.

By the time the second half had come around the sun was starting to burst out of the clouds and with the improved weather came improved initiative from the Harriers midfield maestro John Finnegan who ten minutes after the second half had started, scored Kidderminster Harriers second goal.

The Harriers forged an attack down the right hand side with attacking right full back Duane Courtney venturing forward and, within metres of the byline, passed the ball backwards to captain Chris McPhee who sent a high, spinning cross over into the area.  Robbie Matthews left the ball for John Finnegan to, at waist height, plough his foot through the ball like an express train to give Naisbitt absolutely no chance and to send the Harriers fans into raptures as a result.

Mere minutes later 'The Stutes' gifted Harriers possession yet again as Brian Smikle advanced on goal and chose to cut inside instead of shooting which possibly would've resulted in a goal.

However, Harriers fans didn't have to wait very long for a third goal as in the fifty eighth minute the scorer turned provider when Finnegan sent a fine ball to Darryl Knights who came in from the right hand side and planted a powerful finish into the far corner for his first league goal since Weymouth away in 2008 and to cap off a good performance from the rejuvenated midfielder.

Even though we were home and dry with the third goal the Reds continued to persevere and nearly scored a fourth as Smikle robbed Naisbitt of the ball and passed to McPhee who stuttered before he shot and when he eventually did, the Histon goalkeeper was back into position and saved his shot easily.

Minutes later saw the introduction of James Lawrie for his first game as a Kidderminster Harriers player and he almost made an immediate impact when he should have scored just after coming on but showed indecision before he eventually shot which may have cost him a debut goal as when the shot eventually came it was straight at the Histon keeper.

As the game started to lose its fizz the Aggborough faithful got to see their first sight of Marcus Bignot in Harriers colours in over a decade when he came on for Robbie Matthews and received a large amount of applause from the fans.

After this there were no more chances as Harriers ran out 3-0 winners and were never really tested by the side that finished so well last season with the likes of Jack Midson in their side.

With another three points in the bag Steve Burrs claims that a playoff spot is achievable looks more and more likely, however, next the Worcestershire side await Ebbsfleet at home on this coming Tuesday evening.

They may provide more of a test than Histon did today.

 Goals for Harriers: Smikle 4, Finnigan 56, Knights 59

REFEREE:

Mr M Bristow Lancashire