In a post-Christmas thriller at Aggborough, Newport County emerged the winners following a five goal game against the Harriers. Kidderminster were playing their first game in just over two weeks following the adverse weather, with a makeshift side greeting the South Wales 'Exiles'.
Chris McPhee was missing from the side completely, Lee Vaughan was suspended and Mike Williams injured. They were replaced by Jamille Matt who was making his first league start for the Harriers, Tom Sharpe came in at right back and Tom Shaw deputised at left back. Ollie Thorne also made his return to the side after being out of favour since his sending off against York City in the FA Cup defeat a few months back.
For the 'Exiles' or 'Former Harriers XI' as it appeared, Paul Bignot and Darryl Knights started, with Sam Foley and Robbie Matthews on the bench.
One of those former Harriers immediately made his presence felt as Knights, who was playing on the right wing, movement and penetrating runs tore the Harriers defence apart at times. He tested Danny Lewis as early as five minutes into the game with a shot that forced Lewis into a decent save.
It was evident from this point onwards that Newport had a hold on the play in the opening stages and unless the Harriers upped their game it would only be a matter of time before Newport scored. Matty Blair did have a chance to notch a goal against the run of play following an inviting cross from Callum Gittings and minutes after had a run and tried to take the ball around Glyn Thompson but the goalkeeper made it safe.
Minutes later Blair would've rued missing those chances as Newport took the lead through Craig Reid.
An over hit pass from one side of the pitch was played over to the other but Sam Deering didn't bother about that. He gave chase and went past two Harriers defenders to stop the ball going out for a throw. He then moved back towards the area and those same two defenders were still there standing rigidly to the spot. Deering played the ball across to Eddie Odhiambo who in turn fed Reid, with his back to goal, he turned to shoot, and whilst Briggs got the merest of touches in, it wasn't enough to stop the ball from going into the back of the net past Lewis.
The danger from Reid didn't recede though as he forced a fine diving save from Lewis and then created the second goal through his fine work as he got the ball in the midfield, took the ball past Thorne with ease and, with Briscoe standing in his way, ghosted past the centre back whose sliding challenge was poorly timed and far too late to take the ball from Reid who only had Shaw with him. The latter slid in on Reid, this time taking the ball, but due to him not being goal side of his man the challenge took the ball into the back of the net which was unfortunate as he seemed to be the only defender switched on in that situation.
Mistakes aside, Newport were two goals up and the Harriers were drowning against the strong current that Newport were providing. This lack of performance in the first half earned a roundly deserved chorus of boos ringing out in the ears of the Harriers men as they left the pitch at half time.