Atrocious Harriers defending gives Barrow a head start

The remnants of Steve Burr's playing squad travelled up to the Cumbrain coastline on a sunny but cool and breezy autumn afternoon.

Newly signed Dave Bird swooped into the starting line up in place of Scott Phelan who was still not 100% match fit having picked up a knock in the midweek win against Braintree and Luke Medley came in for the suspended Kyle Storer, to give an attacking feel to Harriers' starting formation.

Kicking into the wind, Kidderminster started slowly.  Nevertheless, the first really good chance of the game fell to Nick Wright in the fourteenth minute when, with only the goalkeeper to beat, his touch was too heavy leaving an easy opportunity for Danny Hurst to collect.

Then in line with the run of play, the Bluebirds took the lead on eighteen minutes when top-scorer Adam Boyes curled a pedestrian shot into the bottom corner from twenty two yards out.  An effort that in all truth should probably have been kept out by Dean Lyness as the ball looped past his diving hands.

Fellow Barrow striker Andy Cook doubled the home team's lead three minutes later when heading into the same corner of the net, following a run and cross from diminutive winger Jack Mackreth.  This time Lyness was left with little chance of keeping out what was a well directed header.  To his credit Mackreth ran riot with his turn of speed and ability to find space and run at defenders all afternoon.  He showed just how much of an asset this type of old fashioned winger can be for a team at this level.

The rampant Bluebirds netted a third goal inside a five minute spell when Lyness showed a rare lack of judgment in coming out for a deep Barrow cross.  He spilled the ball and on-loan teenage winger Dominic Rowe then curled it past Lyness into the top corner from the edge of the box with a very classy finish.

A shell-shocked Kidderminster looked to respond and Barrow midfielder Richie Baker was forced to clear off his own line following a Callum Gittings shot on twenty five minutes.  The visitors then pulled a goal back on thirty five minutes.

Jamille Matt chased what many thought was a lost cause near the Barrow goal line.  He won the ball and then his tight angle shot squirmed past Danny Hurst at the keeper's near post.

Barrow had a great opportunity to re-establish a three goal advantage just before half-time when the Harriers captain Michael Briscoe was unluckily adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box.  The ball was flicked onto his hand from close range by the Bluebird forward Adam Boyes.  Baker's penalty was, however, easily saved by Lyness in making up somewhat for his previous faux pas.

With generally a poor first half defensively, the Harriers reorganised at half time with Jack Cresswell coming on in place of Michael Briscoe.  Cresswell slotted into right midfield and James Vincent dropped back into defence.

Cresswell himself showed some good touches.  No doubt he will improve as he becomes more confident and attempts to take on defenders and move with the ball in addition to slotting the pinpoint pass as he does at present.

Barrow's policy, whilst at times looking threatening, was to sit and defend their lead hence chances were few and far between at either end.  On loan debutant David Bird who also generally had a good game (especially in the first period) unleashed a long range shot over the bar in the sixty fifth minute.  A few minutes later Lyness had to save a fierce drive from Andy Cook at the other end.

Kidderminster introduced Marc Williams and Steve Guinan half way through the second half in place of Luke Medley and Jamille Matt in an attempt to try and freshen things up.  Each had modest attempts at goal but in general the second half was relatively uneventful, with only a handful of chances for either side.

On the day throughout the ninety minutes the Harriers' best player was probably Callum Gittings who worked tirelessly, won the majority of 50:50 balls he was involved in and rarely got caught in possession nor did he often give the ball away.

However, Barrow had done enough in the first half to claim three deserved points.

Whilst many of the Kidderminster youngsters have made a valiant effort in filling in for their senior colleagues, their lack of experience is now beginning to show.  Thus Burr and many of the Harriers fans are now longing for the return of Mike Williams, Lee Vaughan, Luke Jones, Jack Byrne, Dave Hankin and Kyle Storer.

Let's hope some at least can bolster next week's squad and we can start a long and fruitful FA Cup run when we take on Blue Square North outfit Corby at Aggborough.

 Goals for Barrow: Boyes 18, Cook 21, Rowe 23
 Goal for Harriers: Matt 35

REFEREE:

Mr S Smith County Durham