Venue:
Aggborough
att:  2052  away fans:  353
Extra info
Harriers
2
  Bennett 39, 84
Deano grabs a double to see us into the next round but Northwich, and their fans, make it tough for us.
Northwich
1
  Devlin 87
 harriers-online match report
Saturday 8th November 2003 
HOME
Deano does it


The Harriers sidled into the next round of the FA Cup after being given a hard time by a Northwich side intent on creating an upset.  It's a fair reflection to say that at times Northwich looked a better side than us and with their exuberant fans urging them on it could have been the Cheshire side going into the 2nd round hat.

We started the game hesitantly and that's the way it carried on until the appearance of a rejuvenated Bo Henriksen gave us that extra urge upfront.

Jan opted to start the game with Bo on the bench and carry on with the Andy White and John Williams partnership to spearhead the attack.  This looked to be working well with John Williams in fine form skinning the Vics fullback continually.

On the other side of the pitch Dean Bennett was fulfilling his promise from last week with some amazing mazey runs from deep and he in turn was giving his marker a torrid time.

It wasn't just our lads giving defenders a hard time though with Ryan Zico-Black making fools of our defence at times.  Jonny Allen looked to be a handful too.

Our first real threat on goal came midway through the first half when Postie John won the ball ten yards out from the right hand byeline and just let rip with a stinging dipping shot that only just went over the bar.  If that had gone in it could have been a contender for the goal of the season.

Most of our early attempts on goal were coming from John but the goal eventually came from a player who hadn't scored since the Boxing day game against Leyton Orient last Christmas.  Following a dubious free kick given to Northwich for handball the ball was cleared quickly for Matt Gadsby out wide.  This time there was definitely a handball that the poor ref allowed to go as Matt flighted the ball deep into the Vics area where Deano was on hand to head it into the back of the net.

Half time came with us in the lead but it was a very unconvincing one that at times we looked like losing to some slick passing from Northwich and some lazy play from our midfield.


HT. 1 - 0

The second half was a continuation of the first but this time Jan had ordered someone to mark Zico-Black a bit more effectively and he wasn't so dangerous as he was in the first half.  They did get the first sight of goal though with efforts from Garvey and Foran testing Stuart Brock.

Apart from a half chance from Andy White we didn't seem to be pressuring Northwich much and eventually the management decided a change was in order.  Off came Gadsby and Parrish to be replaced by, first a surprise return for Robert Betts, and as expected a welcome back for Bo after injury.

Immediately there was a difference to our side with Bo looking really sharp.  So sharp that he could have scored three times in as many minutes of his return.

For Northwich Mark Devlin almost equalised but fluffed his big chance when he scuffed his shot with only Brockie to beat.

Slowly the Harriers fans started to get behind the team and willed them on to score with the Red Army song and although it took a long time to come, come it eventually did.

John Williams, playing with renewed vigour, took the ball to the byeline and whipped in the perfect cross for Deano to connect with.  From twelve yards out he powered the ball into the bottom corner of the net for his second goal of the game.  Both from headers.

We were now cruising and the second round was in sight but the Northwich fans didn't stop singing and their faith was rewarded just a few minutes later when Devlin scored what was a well deserved consolation goal.

This was down to our defence yet again falling asleep at the wheel and letting him drift in with the ball before sending it past Brockie.

The Vics then started to press for the equaliser that would give them a replay at their place but luckily for us we managed to hold on until the final whistle.

Two goals for Deano for the first time in the League and into the second round for the first time in three years.  At least we won't meet Carlisle this time.  They went out 3-0 to Oldham today.


FT. 2 - 1

The Harriers-Online
Man of the Match is : 
John Williams

A revelation today and with a bit more pace could have got himself on the scoresheet.  Came close with a fine effort though.

Best for them:  Ryan Zico-Black.  So that's where that 'one for the future' went to then.
Should really be playing League football.

vote for your
man of the match now

Harriers  subs   cards      Northwich  subs   cards 
Brock     Woods  
Smith     Charnock  
Hatswell     Brazier  
D Williams     Woodyatt  
Hinton     Foran  
Gadsby     Murray  
Bennett     Devlin  
Parrish     Norris  
J Williams     Garvey  
White     Allan  
Shilton     Zico-Black  
SUBS:       SUBS:    
Danby     Connett  
Betts     Thompson  
Henriksen     Owen  
Lewis     Barnard  
Ayres     Walsh  

REFEREE:
Mr I Williamson
Berkshire

links to some
northwich websites:

official site
click below
to see previous
results
Did you see the
same match as me?
Do you want to
write a report?
If you do then click here
If you came here from an external link
then please click below to go to
Harriers-Online
 
              Back to Top

Site © 1999- Harriers-Online.co.uk - all rights reserved  
This site is 100% unofficial and in no way represents the views of Kidderminster Harriers FC