Harriers grab their first home win since January

Kidderminster Harriers first league win at home since January 7th finally arrived against a Darlington side desperately trying to fight Drewe Broughtons 'curse of the relegation'.  Seemingly having played for many a side that have ended up relegated, as we did, while he was playing for them only to up sticks and move elsewhere once he'd achieved his aim.

Under a beautiful clear, blue sky the game got off to an ugly start when as early as just four minutes a two footed lunge by Clark Keltie caught Tom Marshall full on the back of the legs but the man in charge only saw it as worthy of a yellow card.  Darlington were counting themselves lucky to not be down to ten men with the game hardly underway.

As has been traditional all this season Harriers then found themselves behind to an early goal against the run of play.  The back four got caught unawares by a looping throw in from Aaron Brown that found its way off the top of Ryan Bowmans head into Tony Breedens net.

Jack Byrne almost gifted the Harriers a stunning equaliser minutes later as Lee Vaughan played off Anthony Malbon who teed up a Byrne strike but unfortunately it was straight at the Darlo keeper, Jordan Pickford, who after two attempts finally gathered in the ball.

The home side did finally get the goal though in the twenty sixth minute when a rebounded Marshall shot fell to Dave Hankin who calmly slotted past Pickford.

The only other chance of the half fell to the Harriers once more when Marvin Johnson saw his header easily saved by the young Darlington keeper just before the whistle went for half time.

The second half started as the first left off, with the feel of a somewhat unimportant season ender, despite both teams league positions.  The Harriers kept pushing for a second goal spearheaded by another strong performance by Marvin Johnson but the final ball kept falling short.
It would take a touch of class to break the slow rhythm of the game and luckily Steve Guinan was there to deliver.  A great first touch and a perfectly weighted through ball allowed in an in-form Malbon who skillfully slid the ball in below the keepers body.

Malbon almost got himself an assist soon after when some more strong attacking play from the January signing teamed up with the other new man, Johnson, but the final shot ended the wrong side of the post.

The home side were almost caught napping seconds after though when some slopping defending lead a to a Darlington cross from substitute Adam Rundle find non other than Drewe Broughton all alone in the box.  Somehow the ex-Kidderminster man failed to hit the target.

The game then slowly petered out even more as Harriers stayed in complete control and then finally put an end to the competition.

Ryan Rowe had only just come on for Guinan and, with almost his first touch of the ball, got his first goal in red after a poor clearance by Pickford fell straight to James Vincent.  He played in Rowe to fire a deflected shot past the keeper.

It had been a very poor display from the Harriers with the possession football of our last three games seemingly gone missing but it was a desperately needed three points which, with the help of some big games to come, leaves Harriers still with the smallest of chances at play off glory.

 Goals for Harriers: Hankin 26, Malbon 54, Rowe 89,
 Goal for Darlington: Bowman 17

REFEREE:

Mr J Simpson Lancashire