Altrincham 1 Harriers 2
Date: 04-09-10
Venue: Moss Lane
att: 929
away fans: 84
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Harriers win the six pointer
Report by Morgan Nock
An utterly boring game at Moss Lane was topped off by two terrible performances by two sides I tip for relegation. Goals from Callum Gittings and Chris McPhee were enough for Kidderminster Harriers to see off Altrincham in an early relegation six-pointer.
The Harriers played a 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation, similar to Monday's game against Tamworth with Nick Wright on the right and Lee Morris on the left. New signing Ollie Thorne slotted in at centre half in place of the suspended Mark Albrighton.
A slow start set the tone for the game early on in a pedestrian first half with just the one chance for the Harriers when Nick Wright managed to penetrate the home defence on the right hand side before delivering a square ball from the byline. The cross almost passed straight through the goalkeeper's torso, but he moved out of the way only for Robbie Williams (footballer, not pop star!) to head unchallenged off the line.
For Altrincham, James McCarthy had the only chance of note when he found space but his powerful shot was directed straight at the Kidderminster keeper, Danny Lewis.
Half time eventually arrived and the score was 0-0
The second half was a bit more lively although it started in a similar style to the first period. Nick Wright was replaced by Callum Gittings for Harriers after fifty five minutes.
After sixty five minutes Lee Morris hit the post for Kidderminster and shortly afterwards Matty Blair replaced Tom Shaw.
The deadlock was finally broken on seventy two minutes when a long ball found substitute Blair who beat two defenders before drilling the ball square for the other substitute Gittings who showed good composure to side-foot the ball into the back of the Altrincham net with his weaker right foot.
Moments later, three minutes to be exact, the Harriers once again sacrificed a lead. Lee Vaughan flew into a challenge, luckily escaping a card but conceding a free kick, in a dangerous position yards outside the corner of penalty area. The set-piece was floated in and Sam Hewson's header was saved acrobatically by 'keeper Lewis but he could only push the ball wide to substitute Damian Reeves who spun quickly to fire in a shot which deflected off the goalkeeper into the net.
Altrincham had two golden opportunities to take the lead but Chris Denham blazed over an almost open goal and James McCarthy had his shot blocked by Lewis when he was through one on one.
With ten minutes remaining the Harriers were awarded a fortunate penalty for handball which Chris McPhee converted for what turned out to be the winner for Kidderminster.
Another poor performance but this time Harriers were able to gain three points. A similar showing against most sides in the Blue Square Bet Premier would result in defeat so the visit of Hayes and Yeading United to Aggborough next Saturday could be tough.
Goal for Altrincham: Reeves 76
Goals for Harriers: Gittings 72, McPhee 80 (pen)
The Harriers Online MotM is:
Michael Briscoe
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Altrincham |
subs |
cards |
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Harriers |
subs |
cards |
Coates |
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Lewis |
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Smith |
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Vaughan |
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Brown |
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Mike Williams |
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Welch |
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Briscoe |
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R Williams |
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Thorne |
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Densmore |
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Shaw |
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Lawton |
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Wright |
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Danylyk |
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Briggs |
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Crowell |
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Morris |
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Denham |
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McPhee |
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McCarthy |
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Byrne |
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SUBS: |
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SUBS: |
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Coburn |
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Stevens |
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Joseph |
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Hankin |
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Twiss |
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Sharpe |
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Hewson |
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Blair |
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Reeves |
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Gittings |
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REFEREE:
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Mr R Fletcher
Derbyshire
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