Harriers open with a win at York

The opening day of the 2010-11 season was a day to remember for Kidderminster Harriers fans as a 2-1 victory was earned at York City's Bootham Crescent.

Callum Gittings scored for Harriers after ten minutes directly from a corner before the game was thrown into controversy.  In the 86th minute a penalty was awarded to York when Michael Rankine simply fell over in the area, a ridiculous decision, and Rankine converted the spot kick.

Fortunately, for the travelling 177, Harriers were given a penalty of their own when ex-Harrier Duane Courtney shoved Chris McPhee to the ground in the box at the other end and another penalty was given.  Tom Shaw did the honours and Kidderminsters luck prevailed as justice was done.

An energetic start from both sides saw a flurry of early pressure on both defences.  After good work from Chris McPhee the Harriers earned a corner which Callum Gittings swung in but could never have anticipated the outcome because the ball whistled in under the bar and the keeper, Michael Ingham, was powerless as his flailing arm could only help the ball into the net.

Four minutes later the Harriers could have doubled their lead through Lee Morris.  Mike Williams played a lovely, defence-splitting, through ball but the forward could only drill his shot straight at the York goalkeeper.

As the half progressed, without major incident, it was York's star man Richard Brodie who carved out a chance.  The forward picked up the ball on the corner of the penalty area before powering a shot towards the top corner, only to be stopped by the Harriers keeper Danny Lewis's outstretched arms.

The second half began with a substitution for Harriers.  Nick Wright replaced Lee Morris in mysterious circumstances - possibly reminiscent of that in which Dean Sturridge left the field four seasons ago.  (Ed: he had a slight tightness in his hamstring so was withdrawn from the game)

Six minutes into the half Brodie again had a chance to level it up.  The striker found himself unmarked at the back post but could only manage to blaze a shocking effort high over the bar.  Matty Blair replaced Dave Hankin for the Harriers.

A smattering of half chances for both sides followed but the scoreline remained the same until the 86th minute.  A frankly ridiculous decision from the referee saw a penalty awarded when Michael Rankine fell like a sack of spuds when under pressure from Tom Shaw and Michael Briscoe.  After much debate between the York squad Rankine held the ball like an angry schoolchild to ensure it was he who took the spot kick.

Rankine scored and Harriers fans, and players, were up in arms.

Fortunately for the travelling team and fans another penalty was given just three minutes later and this time it was in our favour.  Chris McPhee collected the ball in the box before the former Kidderminster defender Duane Courtney bundled him down.  Tom Shaw converted the kick and one lot of Minstermen beat the other Minstermen!

 Goal for York: Rankine 84 (pen)
 Goals for Harriers: Gittings 10, Shaw 90 (pen)

REFEREE:

Mr P Collin Merseyside