Harriers beat the Tamworth bogey

A great team performance from the Harriers today saw our play-off hopes re-lit in a dazzling affair on bonfire night.

The Harriers, keen to impress after their shockingly poor run of form lately, changed the formation in the hope they could get the best start and best result possible, despite four key players being out injured.  The new keeper, Tony Breeden, made his debut in place of Dean Lyness and Mickey Demetriou returned to the full back position allowing Tom Sharpe to take over from Tom Marshall at centre half.

It was the Harriers who started the better when, in the fifth minute, they were awarded a penalty for a push in the box by former Harrier Francino Francis on Marc Williams.  Lee Vaughan took full advantage of the situation to make amends for his penalty miss against Telford a few weeks back by hitting a great spot kick into the top left corner.  Lee himself lead the celebrations with Steve Burr, who seems to have been inspirational for all.

The Harriers kept the momentum going and David Bird forced a good save from the Tamworth 'keeper after a header from a Dave Hankin cross.

But on the 18th minute things just kept getting better for the Harriers when they doubled their lead through a rocket from Steve Guinan.  A throw-in came back out to Mickey Demetriou, who crossed in on the half volley, to Guinan, who marvellously turned in the cross on his weaker foot and then watched as it swerved into the top left corner.

After this a series of Tamworth free kicks and pressure from the visitors resulted in nothing as the Harriers defence and new keeper Tony Breeden comfortably dealt with all that was thrown at them.  Their most notable chance was from a weak shot straight into the new stoppers arms from good work down the right flank.

Just before half time though Tamworth did provide a scare through a shot outside the area from Kyle Patterson but it was comfortably held by Breeden.

The second half was, on the whole, a fizzled out affair, with Kidderminster keen to keep hold of their hard earned three points.  The only notable thing to mention before the hour mark was a clean challenge from Scott Phelan that resulted in a yellow card and a short session of handbags that then saw the 'victim' Paul Green then doing likewise to Scott and also earning a booking for his efforts.

As the game was starting to come to a close more chances from both sides were being created and Tamworth had the first of these after a mix-up in the Harriers box led to a shot from outside the area going just wide.

Three chances in the space of three minutes for the Harriers left the fans in good humour and a rebooted confidence.  The first of these chances was a Guinan header going just over from a Callum Gittings cross.  Then good work down the opposite flank lead to a Marc Williams header.  The effort was wide but he then broke through and got the ball round the keeper, Jonathan Hedge, but it got tangled in his feet and cleared.

That should have been three goals to go with the three points for the Harriers but it was still a good performance that lead to a well fought win to keep this seasons flame from going out.

It all seemed a shame to take the gloss off the win following the game when rumours started to go round that there was to be statement from Chairman Mark Serrell involving certain changes to the board.  We have been here before and frankly we don't want to go there again.

 Goals for Harriers: Vaughan (pen) 6, Guinan 18

REFEREE:

Mr R Joyce Cleveland