AFC Telford Utd 1 Harriers 2

The Harriers came out on top in this hard fought friendly against a Telford side that were sharing the same league as us last season but ended up surprisingly relegated.  New manager Liam Watson has begun the task of re-building the side and has bought in plenty of class players well suited to the task of promotion.

Players like Matty McGinn, Andy Owen and Simon Grand would fit in well in any Conference Premier side.  They also included the former Harrier Sean Clancy.

In front of a 572 crowd it was Lee Fowler who was to get the Harriers off to the stronger start when his blistering effort tested the Bucks keeper in the first minute.  That was followed up with Grand going close with a header and shot straight at Nathan Vaughan, in place of the first choice Danny Lewis.

The opening goal, from the Harriers, came soon after.

Jamie Tolley played in Nathan Blissett with a good through ball that the tall frontman controlled well before playing it on for Anthony Malbon to choose his spot and fire the ball beyond the off guard Ryan Young.

Telford didn't waste time getting back on level terms when the Harriers keeper flapped at a long throw in from Owens and the ball fell kindly for Adam Farrell to bundle it over the line.  Seconds later Telford should have taken the lead through a McGinn shot that crashed back off the underside of the bar with Vaughan a mere onlooker.

The lead was regained through Lee Fowler with half time approaching.

The ball was given away needlessly by a Bucks defender on the edge of the area and Fowler needed no second invite to collect the ball and curl a fine shot around the Telford keeper.

HT: AFC Telford Utd 1 Harriers 2

After the break both sides made continuous changes to the line-up but the fluidity and potency of the first half was no longer there.

Dior Angus, on for Malbon, and Ryan Rowe, replacing Marvin Johnson both had shots saved by the keeper while for Telford Farrell missed a sitter that was floated towards his head by Clancy.

Harriers:
N Vaughan (Lewis 69), Demetriou, Gowling, Dunkley (Grimes 51), Storer (J Byrne 51), Fowler, Tolley (Jackman 61), Johnson (Rowe 61), Malbon (Angus 69), Blissett (Dance 51), L Vaughan.

Telford:
Young, Baynes (Booth 46), McGinn, Preston, Grand (N Byrne 72), Phenix (Clancy 50), Benjamin (Rooney 63), Moogan (Jackson 46), Farrell (Kabeya 76), Gray (Bottomer 66), Owens (O'Neill 78).

Att: 572 (51)