Callum Gittings grabs a birthday brace

On a dry sunny and mild afternoon, Kidderminster Harriers took on Hayes & Yeading Utd at the Kingfield Stadium, Woking.  With only the same number of spectators present as attended Harriers mid week FA Youth Cup clash with Carlisle, the game had somewhat of a Sunday morning local league game atmosphere rather than the feel of a Blue Square Premier clash.

With new star signing Lee Hendrie nowhere to be seen, apparently injured in training, Harriers started with a 4-4-2 formation.  Dave Hankin, James Vincent, Dave Bird and Callum Gittings started in midfield, with Jamille Matt and Steve Guninan up front.
The Hayes manager Nas Bashir handed home debuts to a quartet of recent signings with Lloyd Owusu and Dean Sinclair joined by midweek signings Carl Pentney and James Folkes in the starting line-up.

In the first few minutes Pentney was forced into his first save when he had to be alert to turn away a volley from Lee Vaughan.  The hosts were then put under pressure by Harriers in the first quarter of the match and at one point it needed a last-ditch challenge by the home team skipper Mark Bentley to stop Dave Hankin going clean through on goal.

The ball then hit the back of the Hayes net in the 21st minute when Steve Guinan nodded home a free-kick from Mickey Demetriou but the effort was disallowed by referee John Hopkins.  Unfortunately the man in black ruled the kick had been taken before he was ready and so ruling out what would otherwise have been a straightforward goal for the dominant visitors.

Hayes & Yeading looked like a side struggling for cohesion in the first-half with so many new faces in the side, but they did show signs of promise, particularly when Luke Williams and Louie Soares combined to find Lloyd Owusu in the box but he headed wide.

Jamille Matt caused problems for the Hayes defence all afternoon with his lively pace and great ball control even when on the move.  It was therefore no surprise that Kidderminster grabbed the lead in the 28th minute when Bentley tripped Matt in the box to concede a penalty.  This time Vaughan drilled the ball along the ground to the keepers left as the Hayes goal stopper dived the other way.

Matt caused problems for the Hayes defence all afternoon with his lively pace and great ball control even when on the move.

The visitors had some further great chances to double their advantage.  In one instance, Dave Bird was left completely unmarked in the box, but he headed wide from just eight yards and then James Vincent broke free of his marker, but he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

The second half began as the first half had left off, with Harriers very much on top.  In the 52nd minute Guinan was presented with another opportunity as Dave Bird floated a lofted pass to the Harriers striker.  Guinan volleyed well toward goal but the chance was well held by keeper Pentney.

Hayes & Yeading then pressed the self destruct button two minutes before the hour mark when ex Kidderminster man Dwaine Lee saw red after he received a second booking for a rash challenge on Callum Gittings.

The ten men rallied though and they snatched an equaliser when Tom Cadmores' well struck 25-yard free-kick beat Kidderminster goalkeeper Tony Breeden in the 65th minute.  After scoring with what was effectively their first shot on target, the hosts then came close to snatching the lead when Breeden had to get down low to save a Luke Williams shot.  Another well struck effort.

But Hayes & Yeading were level for less than five minutes as the visitors restored their advantage through Gittings.  He finished with a powerful short range shot that went in off the under-side of the bar after good work down the wing by Jamille Matt.

Gittings, ho was celebrating his 26th birthday today, then sealed the win with his second goal four minutes from the end of normal time following a strong run at the defence and a powerful shot that beat keeper Pentney to kill off Hayes & Yeading.

Nick Wright, Marc Williams and Jack Cresswell came on at various intervals in the second half to replace the tiring legs of Hankin, Guinan and Vincent.  Overall, there were some good performances from a number of Harriers players.  Dave Bird showed some classy touches in midfield, showing why he has previously been playing at a better level.  One wonders though whether, like many of us, he might benefit from losing a pound or two.  Callum Gittings took his goals well, especially the second strike - securing a goal against the odds.  Lee Vaughan was his master-full self at right back and Jamille Matt caused no end of trouble up front.

But the man of the match was probably Mickey Demetriou who was never far from the action and put in a great effort, especially in the first half.  Apart from his nightmare at Barrow a few weeks ago, he seems to be growing in confidence and maturing as a competent left back.

Overall a deserved win for Harriers who showed a lot more quality than United, in terms of close ball control, quick passing skills and also inventiveness.

The all important return fixture against Cambridge United, who currently lie three point above Harriers in fourth is up next.

 Goal for Hayes: Cadmore 65
 Goals for Harriers: Vaughan (pen) 28, Gittings 70,

REFEREE:

Mr J Hopkins Essex