Magic Marvins goal puts the wind in Harriers sails

The Harriers strengthened their play-off position with a solid, albeit somewhat uninspiring, 1-0 win on a windy Tuesday night at Aggborough while Telford made it three games for them without scoring.  It was also our first double of the season following our 2-0 win at the Bucks Head ground in November when Marvin Johnson also opened the scoring there too.

Telford came out the blocks slightly faster than we did and after five minutes Jake Reid warmed Danny Lewis's hands with an optimistic drive from distance.  Unfortunately the game struggled to really ignite as the ball spent most of the first ten minutes caught in the wind; which would cause havoc for both teams all evening.

On eleven minutes Harriers had their first chance of the game when Kyle Storer released Johnson to charge down the wing but, after breaking into the box, his cross sped agonisingly out of reach of Anthony Malbon's foot.

Slowly, as the first half continued, Harriers started to dominate but insisting on crossing everything directly into the breeze with Johnson and the new boy Danny Jackman causing Telford problems.

The home side got their first shot of the half on thirty four minutes as Storer cracked a sharp half volley forcing Telford keeper Ryan Young into a smart save down to his left.

Kidderminsters domination finally broke Telford's spirited defence three minutes later when Johnson grabbed his fifth goal of the season.  After breaking through from the midfield Johnson locked on to a smartly delivered pass from Lee Vaughan and cut though the defence and slot home past a helpless Young from an acute angle.

Telford almost drew level in the last minute of the first half but Nathan Rooney could only watch as his thirty yard free kick flew over Lewis's crossbar.

Within five minutes of the start of the second half it was evident that Steve Burr's side were playing deeper to try to defend the lead - a tactic that would normally bring Harriers veteran watchers out in a cold sweat but, with a defence that has conceded just five goals in their last twelve matches, an arguably understandable game plan.

Vaughan, playing against his old side, could have doubled the lead on fifty four minutes when he found space but could only fire straight at Young but the best chance that would fall for Harriers to strengthen their lead came moments later.  Danny Jackman broke strongly down the wing and sent a low cross in for Malbon but unfortunately the striker, evidently still low on confidence, took a touch too many as he could only scuff a shot straight to Nathan Blissett who got too much under the ball and fired the strike over the bar of the empty goal.

Harriers continued to dominate with Telford looking completely toothless up front and, with twenty minutes to go, Blissett had another strong chance to put the home side out of sight.  Malbon managed to work his way into Young's area and slid a ball across to the young striker who could only fire at the keeper.

Harriers kept looking a threat going forward and Dunkley once again was unfortunate not to get on the score sheet after a strong far post header was palmed away by Young.

Telford started to go 'gung ho' for the last five minutes or so, but Josh Gowling and Cheyenne Dunkley never looked anything other than in complete control, as we've come to expect, and eased out the game for another three points.

Overall a rather boring game for the neutral and Harriers fans will continue to worry that none of their strikers have scored since Jamille Matts exit to Fleetwood, but the fact that Lewis barely touched the ball all evening just reflects the solid nature of the now settled back four.

This coming Saturday we should be facing much stronger opponents when we travel to third placed Newport County.  Three points there could see the Harriers climb to third place in the league but that all depends on another crucial promotion crunch game at Forest Green where fourth take on second placed Wrexham.

 Goal for Harriers: Johnson 37

REFEREE:

Mr K Johnson Somerset