Harriers fire four past FGR

The Harriers romped to their biggest win of the season so far with a great comeback against FGR after going a goal behind in the opening minutes.  Former Harriers striker Matt Barnes-Homer scored that one when he finished off a catalogue of errors following Nathan Vaughans punch away straight to Danny Wright.  His shot rebounded away then somehow got deflected back into the path of MBH who couldn't really miss from where he was stood.

With two changes to the starting eleven, from the Chester failure three days ago, Joe Lolley and Nathan Blissett both made the cut this time at the expense of Marvin Johnson and Anthony Malbon.  Malbon went to the bench while Johnson was out completely to allow Dior Angus a chance to shine.

We soon drew level following that shock goal when Kyle Storer got on the end of Callum Gittings corner.  His header at the far post bulleted into Sam Russells net.  Callum went off soon after with a minor knock to be replaced by Jack Byrne.

With everything to play for again the game settled down with both sides equally matched but not really getting any clear cut chances on goal.  Lolley, having a quiet game up until then, did get close with a shot that Russell managed to push around the post and then with the halftime whistle.

Although the first half wasn't a bad game so far the second period was lifted to another level by a slicker Harriers.  Both Morgan-Smith and Blissett had been a little rusty in the first half but in the second they began to come into the game more.  Lee Fowler also started to take more control of the midfield, an area that we usually struggle in, and quickly imposed himself on the game.

Almost at the re-start Joe Lolley could have scored.  His shot, set up by Blissett, was so close to going in but ended up in the side netting much to the disappointment of Harriers fans who were already beginning to cheer us taking the lead.

That second goal was soon to come though and what a fine effort it was too when another corner was given and this time taken by Kyle Storer.  It was flapped at by Russell and half cleared away but only as far as Morgan-Smith who then played it back in to Jack Byrne who swivelled superbly and volleyed the ball into the top of the net.

That goal seemed to trigger anger in the FGR side and the tackles started to fly in.  It all culminated in the first red card of the night for Al Bangura when he slid in two footed on Storer and then got up and appeared to stamp his foot towards the prone Harriers captain.

By now the Harriers were well on top and FGR were a shadow of the team that had taken that early lead.  The third goal came as the first of a brace from AMS when he picked the ball up out wide and then moved inside, sidestepping a defender, and unleashing a strike from twenty yards out that soared into the net.  It was a night for great goals.

Rovers weren't giving up yet though and forced Nathan Vaughan into two good saves, pushing the balls out for fruitless corners both times.

A few minutes from the end of normal time and it was game over when George Pilkington clearly handled in the area with his hand a good two foot above anyones head.  The referee immediately pointed to the spot and booked the on loan Mansfield defender for the offence.

Morgan-Smith stepped up to take the kick and, with the fans holding their breath, he struck the ball a little high but still low enough to enter the net via the underside of the crossbar.  With that he completed his brace and left the field to a round of applause to be replaced by James Dance.

Dance lasted but a few minutes.

With an un-warranted six minutes of extra time, where did that come from?, all hell let loose when the Harriers sub went in for a 50-50 ball two footed in the middle of the park.  There was no danger being posed from a FGR attack so why did he feel it necessary?

Aarran Racine, the recipient of the challenge, got up and threw a punch at Dance and in doing so ten other players joined in too.  Both players received a red card each.  Kyle Storer, who should know better, started to push players away rather than calm things down as he, the captain, is supposed to do.  James Norwood, for Rovers, also got involved and actually pushed the referee away but instead of a red for abusing the ref got a mere yellow instead.

Jack Byrne also picked up a yellow card after the battle had died down but I know not what for.

It was a sour end to an exciting game that saw the Harriers come back from some poor results in recent games and also from going a goal down in the early stages tonight.  Four goals is a rare occurrence for us but those goals, and three points, have put us up into second place in the table.

Onwards to Southport next Saturday and hopefully more of the same but without any red cards please.

 Goals for Harriers: Storer 12, Byrne 65, Morgan-Smith 72, 88 (pen)
 Goal for Forest Green: Barnes-Homer 6

REFEREE:

Mr M Johnson Devon