First half magic from the Harriers

For the second home game in a row the Harriers were unchanged and this team, gaining in confidence, saw off Hyde without getting through too many gears.

The Carpet Men started off well and tried to break the deadlock twice within the first ten minutes.  First through Nathan Blissett, who charged through the Hyde defence, as well as benefiting from Ashley Frith' and Ben Dennis' collision, but he could not convert due to good last-ditch defending from Luke Ashworth.

The recently clinical Ryan Rowe also had a chance, but his header at the back stick from an Adam Watkins corner hit the post.  Five minutes later though the Reds did break the deadlock due to brilliant work from James Vincent after he waltzed past the Hyde defence and then pulled the trigger.  His shot curled round the Tigers 'keeper Frith and put the Harriers into a deserving one goal lead.

This didn't stop the Harriers though and from a corner Mickey Demetriou eventually put a ball in and found Dunkley at the back post.  His header across the goal went out via the crossbar.

Soon after the Reds doubled their lead and the scorer was, who else, but Ryan Rowe.  He latched onto a poor clearance from the Hyde 'keeper and slotted home under the back pedalling goalkeeper.

This didn't stop the Harriers pushing for another goal though and from a great Lee Vaughan cross, Adam Watkins met it sweetly with his head, but Frith did well to tip it over.  Watkins had another chance from the following short corner and his shot left Frith helpless but, luckily for him, it trickled through to hit the post.

It should have been three for the Harriers on seven minutes before the interval though.  A powerful Mickey Demetriou run opened up the Hyde defence and he placed Anthony Malbon through on goal, he tried to take the ball around the keeper but the teenager did well to get down and take it from Malbon's feet.

Into the first half's added time Hyde had their only moment to shout about so far when Liam Tomsett got the ball into the box after sleepy defending from the Harriers, but his shot squirmed under Nat Vaughan and out safely.

The second half started in the same manner as Rowe went through on goal after muscling off a challenge.  His shot was on target but well saved by Frith.

Hyde had two chances to reply to the Harriers dominance around the hour mark when, firstly David Poole made a good run and shot, and secondly when poor defending from a throw-in allowed Scott Spencer through but both his and Poole's shots were well dealt with by goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan.

Unfortunately for the Harriers Josh Gowling, the newly voted player of the month, had to leave injured on seventy two minutes, prompting a new stat, his header win-loss ratio.  Today's stood at 9:0.

Into the final ten minutes the Harriers looked to extend their lead further.  Firstly after Frith fumbled a cross, substitute Marvin Johnson's ball back in was well delivered, but not met.  Another substitute, Kyle Storer returning from injury and on for Vincent, set Lee Vaughan on a storming run but the ball was well smothered from his feet.

Into six minutes of added time and the Carpet Men just had time to get another goal, and it was Ryan Rowe again with his sixth of the campaign.  A lovely through ball found him and he dispatched coolly to make sure the visitors went back up North without a point.  It was a comfortable win, but more importantly a deserved one.

Our next game will be at Hydes next door neighbours when we visit Stockport County.  Can we keep this unbeaten run going and also come back with another three points.

 Goals for Harriers: Vincent 16, Rowe 23, 90

REFEREE:

Mr A Bromley Plymouth