The Harriers waste chances and lose to an average Fleetwood

The Harriers faltered to the league leaders Fleetwood tonight after their two goals downed a battling Harriers performance.

The Harriers had started the better and had two chances in the opening five minutes.  Firstly through a threatening cross from Steve Guinan, which was whipped in, but nobody could convert.  Secondly through a cross from Lee Vaughan, which Anthony Malbon couldn't quite head goal wards.

Two good balls in, but no one able to convert.  This was a scenario that was to repeat itself through the game.

In the twentieth minute the Reds had a great chance to take the lead.  Following a good attempt on goal, the ball came out to Mickey Demetriou who lofted a ball into the box for Marvin Johnson to stab a foot at it, but it went wide.

The Harriers were pushing to break the deadlock past a shaky Fleetwood defence and an equally shaky Fleetwood keeper but they were woefully failing to make much of an impact through the route one approach.

Steve Guinan also failed to break the dead lock after a good shot five minutes later.  A Demetriou free kick came out the striker, but he didn't get enough power or position into his shot.

With ten minutes to go until the end of the half though the balance was slowly starting to shift Fleetwood's way and the Harriers were fortunate that Tony Breedens' goal didn't have to be tested after a great Mike Williams tackle in the box.

The best chance of the half, and for the Harriers in the game, came five minutes before the break. Lovely play from Malbon in his own half allowed him to run until he found Vaughan on the wing through Guinan and Lee Hendrie.  Vaughans cross eventually found Jack Byrne in the box, whose shot beat the 'keeper but not the post.  Guinans follow up shot failed to go either side, and left the home fans bemused how the match was still goalless.

Fleetwood had one final say in the half though.  Jamie Vardy received the ball, after some shoddy defending the Harriers, and he was allowed to turn and strike from distance but his shot failed to properly test Breeden.  This was perhaps a sign of things to come in the second half.

Just like the first half, the Reds had started better and were inches again to breaking the deadlock after a good cross.  This time the goods were supplied from Johnson, after a good through ball from Guinan.  The cross almost found Malbon and then trickled just wide itself.

Against the run of play though Fleetwood got their first goal, and one Breeden couldn't do anything about.  Andy Mangan got the ball, following a poor clearance, and launched a brilliant long range effort into the top corner of the net, leaving the Harriers hard done by.

Eight minutes later and this was definitely the case.  A corner was whipped in and, after a series of pinball in the box, the ball was hit goal wards and Lee Vaughan was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  It came off of him and into the net to double Fleetwood's lead.

The Harriers were looking to respond and on seventy minutes they almost did.  Lee Hendrie got the ball on the right flank and whipped a ball in but Steve Guinans header was down into the goalkeepers grateful grasp.  Hendrie had a chance himself to score minutes later but his free kick was just wide.

After this Fleetwood shut up shop and soaked up pressure well in the midfield for the final twenty minutes, although the defence kept their shaky   The Harriers had little in response and neither Nick Wright nor Ryan Rowe coming on, both on as subs, could offer much in changing the score line.

The final chance of the game was in injury time when Dan Bradley took a long range shot and it sailed just over.

After the full time whistle the Harriers fans were left thinking that the the play-offs are just a dream now.  That could all change on Tuesday night at Telford.  It would be vital if they can get a win and try and mount some sort of run to try and get us back into the coveted top five.

 Goals for Fleetwood: Mangan 53, L Vaughan (og) 61

REFEREE:

Mr T Robinson West Sussex