10-08-19 – Report – Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC 0 Kidderminster Harriers 3

The Harriers claim their first away win of the season

Report: Harriershane

The Harriers travelled to troubled Bradford (Park Avenue), in wet and windy conditions, looking to record their first win of the season against a side who had been defeated 5-0 by both Curzon Ashton and Guiseley. The Harriers manager John Pemberton elected to make a single change; striker Richard Peniket starting up top with Ashley Chambers, with Ed Williams dropping into midfield at the expense of Alex Prosser.

Bradford handed a debut to late signing Nelson Digbeu, a 6’4″ centre back plucked from the lower leagues of France. The Harriers started the swiftest, kicking with the wind, with Declan Weeks firing over the bar in what was the first chance of the game, fashioned by Correy Davidson. Harriers continued to make inroads and finally took a deserved lead in the fourteenth minute.

A crossfield ball found Davidson who drilled a left footed strike across the keeper into the far corner to open his Harriers account. The Reds didn’t relent, aided by the conditions, and were a threat from crosses and set pieces – the starting Peniket making a nuisance of himself throughout.

The visitors’ set piece threat was confirmed with ten minutes remaining in the first half. It was once said of Jamie Carragher that he came to life in the wet, windy and muddy games. Liverpool loanee Rhys Williams looked like he was thriving in the inclement weather and notched his first senior goal by rising the highest to meet a floated corner and direct a header past the home goalkeeper.

The last action of the half should have seen Harriers score a third. Peniket had a number of stabs, as did Ed Williams and Chambers, but a number of blocks from the home backline repelled the offensive effort before the half time whistle blew and the players headed for the dry sanctuary of the dressing room, whilst the fans sought refuge in the bar.

HT: 0 – 2

Kicking with the wind second half, it was Park Avenue who fashioned the first chance of the half with Lewis Knight snatching an effort past the post. Chambers and Peniket were then both denied by heroic blocks by debutant Digbeu, who enjoyed an entertaining battle with Peniket throughout.

Just past the hour mark Peniket finally got his goal, taking the ball down from a free kick before turning and finishing, sadly for the ex-Alfreton man the linesman had adjudged him to be offside.

Correy Davidson was then withdrawn following a hefty challenge on the touchline with Harry Higginson replacing him. Post-match, he was seen heavily limping down the tunnel so you would think he is a doubt for Tuesday night’s game against Gloucester. If he is out he will be a great miss down the left wing.

Harriers continued to create chances, with Peniket, Ed Williams and Sam Austin all seeing efforts denied or go off target. With five to go the game got the comfortable scoreline it so deserved.

Ed Williams found himself surrounded on the halfway line with three around him, lifting his head he saw that Chambers had peeled off and found him with an exquisite ball. Chambers did the rest, bamboozling the defender before sliding it past Charlie Andrew in the home goal.

Harriers finally get a win on the board and it’s hard to see any hope for Bradford. The Harriers squad depth is a concern, and with Davidson withdrawn due to injury, Ryan Johnson getting some rough treatment, Milan Butterfield hobbling off at full time after a great shift and Peniket walking off with a split lip, the fans and management alike will be hoping that there will be no serious ill effects from the game.

FT: 0 – 3

Goals for Harriers: Davidson 14, R Williams 39, Chambers 87

The Harriers Online MotM is: Correy Davidson

Talk about the game here

Latest table and stats here

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Andrew
Lund
Hinds
Marriott
Bigbeu
Moran
Hurst
Hedley			68
Hakeem			60
Knight
Clarke			68
Subs:
Croft
Dockerty			68
Holmes			68
Kabeya			60
Wright
Harriers	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Gregory
Austin
Davidson			62
R Williams
Moyo
Johnson
Weeks
Butterfield			88
Chambers			93
E Williams
Peniket
Subs:
Mountjoy
Prosser			88
Higginson			62
Scott			93
D Lowth
Referee:
Mr Richard Aspinall
Blackpool