Harriers win at windswept Southport

Harriers defeated Southport by the odd goal in three to move within six points of the top following Cambridges' 0-0 draw away at our opponents last week, Chester.  Steve Burr made a single change to the side, that impressively dismantled Forest Green at Aggborough in midweek, with Jack Byrne replacing the injured Callum Gittings.  That meant Nathan Blissett and Joe Lolley both deservedly retained their starting berths up front, with Anthony Malbon, Marvin Johnson and Dior Angus making the bench, as did the recovering Jamie Tolley.

Southport threatened early on from set plays but the Kidderminster defence held firm before the first goal of the game came nice and early in front of the visiting fans.  The impressive Lee Vaughan delivered a deep ball into the box which was met by Amari Morgan-Smith who saw his effort strike the woodwork, leaving Joe Lolley to react the quickest and stroke home after just eight minutes.

This settled the game down with chances becoming a rare commodity, both sides only offering from range.  Just after the half hour mark the first yellow card of the day was issued with Southports Karl Ledsham the recipient, thanks to a foul on Jack Byrne.

The remaining minutes of the first half were producing some very scrappy passages of play with Kyle Storer blazing over for the visitors, before the home side had a great chance of their own when Chris Almond latched onto Lee Fowlers weak header back to Nathan Vaughan, who kept out the effort tremendously.

Out on the Southport right Fowler conceded a free kick which was taken by Jamie Milligan.  As he stood over the ball one of the Southport stewards turned to me stating "this is a goal".  Sadly, this prophecy was fulfilled; a floated ball in from the former Fleetwood midfielder found defender James Smith, his downward header beating Nathan Vaughan after forty two minutes.

This led to a period of rare noise from the home crowd but, in true Harriers style, the opposition fans soon quietened down as Joe Lolley's angled shot was held.  The immediate response to being pegged back came soon after though, Lee Vaughan again with the assist, crossing this time to the near post where he picked out the, at times, much maligned Nathan Blissett who powered home a thumping header that would have had most 'keepers beaten.

Inside the first minute of the second half Harriers could have been 1-3 up, with Jack Byrne shooting narrowly off target.  Three substitutions in a five minute period around the hour mark stifled the game a bit.  Firstly the former Blackburn academy striker Osayamen Osawe came on for the home goalscorer Chris Almond, whilst Steve Burr gave the nod to Anthony Malbon and Marvin Johnson who replaced Blissett and Morgan-Smith respectively.

The best home chance of the half came in the seventieth minute with Ledsham testing Vaughan, this coming not long after a trademark Josh Gowling heroic block in the area.

With fifteen minutes left Dior Angus came on for Joe Lolley and immediately should have had a penalty after being unceremoniously upended by Southport defender David Fitzpatrick.  The referee, Mr Handley, and his officials disagreed.

With five minutes left to play good tenacious work in midfield by Fowler released Johnson, however Danny Hurst was more than equal to the wingers effort.  The last chance of the day fell to the hosts with the former Stockport striker Danny Hattersley seeing his effort blocked by Jack Byrne.

The game was watched by 1018 fans, 143 of whom were from Aggborough.  It was another tough game for Steve Burrs charges but another unbeaten home record was consigned to the history books thanks to the Harriers, with the result being the home sides first defeat at the Merseyrail Stadium, formerly known as Haig Avenue, this season.

 Goal for Southport: Smith 43
 Goals for Harriers: Lolley 8, Blissett 45

REFEREE:

Mr D Handley Lancashire