Harriers 4 Wolves XI 2    Report by Harry Taylor

Kidderminster Harriers recorded yet another victory in their pre-season schedule as they beat a Wolverhampton Wanderers reserves and development side 4-2 although the home side could and perhaps should have scored more.

It was the Wolves who took the lead first, with their most experienced player and perhaps one who doesn't really fit into the development category - Stefan Maierhoff - who got onto the end of a great cross from the right following a great run off the ball and put it into the net beyond Danny Lewis.  Then began the revival.

Nick Wright got the equaliser with a tap-in after a Marc Williams shot was parried away by Wolves hapless goalkeeper Louis Connor before the scorer turned provider when Wright got the ball on the right wing and produced a great cross to Williams who didn't have much to do and his header went past the goalkeeper with ease.

Wright then nearly added another to an already productive match when he ran through on goal, onside, and cheekily took the ball round Connor whilst him and the rest of his team-mates in gold and black stood and watched as the flag had been put up for two other players who were not interfering with play.  The goal was unfairly chalked off but minutes later Jamille Matt - on for Steve Guinan - had got his first of the game and extended the advantage.

Lee Vaughan burst forward supplying a cross for Matt to nod past Connor.  A minute later Matt came forward, overpowered his marker, and hit a vicious powerful half volley past Connor who got a hand to it but wasn't enough to keep it out of goal.

The latter stages of the first half saw the Harriers playing the ball around with confidence and Kyle Storer in particular spreading sixty yard passes crossfield.  Perhaps the lack of pressure helped but if this sort of football can be created in the season then we might have a chance this year of going to the promised land.

HT: Harriers 4 Wolves XI 1

The second half was never going to be such a goal fest as the first half was although Wolves got a goal back after the break via Sam Winnall.  This came from a Maierhoff cross as he put his shot just under Danny Lewis.

Then started the Harriers fruitless onslaught with shots raining in from all over the park but none of them managing to beat Connor.  We controlled the remainder of the half despite the Wolves hitting the bar midway through.

Nick Wright produced a fine save from the Wolves keeper before, in the dying moments, Luke Jones hit the post with a diving header from a Dave Hankin corner.

Things appear to be shaping up well.

HT: Harriers 4 Wolves XI 2

Lewis, Vaughan (Sharpe), Mike Williams (Demetriou), Jones, Marshall (Briscoe), Storer (Phelan), Byrne (Hankin), Cresswell (Vincent), Wright (Bottimer), Guinan (Matt), Marc Williams (Medley).

Att: 1114