12-02-22 – Report – AFC Telford Utd 0 Kidderminster Harriers 1

Harriers make hard work of three points at Telford

Report: Harriershane

After the excitement of the FA Cup run it was back to the bread and butter of the National League North and a trip to the New Bucks Head to face an AFC Telford Utd side who, although not resurgent, are experiencing an upturn in form as they seek to beat the drop.

With an unchanged side from the one that started against West Ham Utd the first attack of note came from Harriers thanks to an Ashley Hemmings cross but Jordan Piggott was alive to the danger to clear. Harriers were so close to a fortuitous opening goal after just seven minutes after Russ Griffiths clearance bounced off Amari Morgan-Smith before trickling wide.

The game wasn’t one for the purists, due to the windy conditions, but it was the Harriers who were firmly in charge. A Liam Nolan slip helped Harriers to launch another attack halfway through the half; again it was Hemmings with the opportunity but his long range effort looped over the crossbar.

The Bucks managed to get a corner on the board as we approached the half hour mark with the former Harrier, Andre Wright, managing to find his way past Nathan Cameron before Matt Preston covered the threat as he did so often last week.

The deadlock was broken just before half time and it wasn’t the finest goal but perhaps the most fitting given the conditions. An Omari Sterling-James free kick was sent into a promising area and with, Griffiths misjudging the ball, Nathan Cameron was on hand to tap home from close range and spark celebrations amongst the 800 or so travelling Harriers contingent.

HT: 0 – 1

The hosts started the second half better, with highly rated full back Brad Bood forcing a corner off Alex Penny before Theo Streete went down looking for a penalty. Their assistant manager Carl Baker was getting into the game a little more and sent another ball into the box looking for Wright, but again, the striker could only send an effort off target.

Harriers’ first look at doubling their lead came seven minutes into the half as they looked to execute a counter attack with surgical precision. Galloping forward, the ball was worked into Sam Austin, who’s shot was well saved by the legs of Griffiths. Back Telford came but their attack petered out somewhat, failing to test Luke Simpson in goal.

Just short of the hour mark Griffiths was forced into action again incredibly saving first from Hemmings inside the area before being alive to Penny’s effort from the rebound. Shortly after he was called upon to claim a free kick that was sent in looking for Matt Preston.

The Harriers had a scare with twenty minutes to play after Mace Goodridge robbed Geraldo Bajrami of possession in a dangerous position but could only drag his shot across goal and wide. Baker also had a sighter of goal but again, he Bucks couldn’t find the target.

With a quarter of an hour to go Hemmings did excellently to beat a number of defenders as he drove to the byeline but again, man of the match Griffiths was able to thwart the Harriers attackers. His best contribution was yet to come though as he pulled off a top class save with twelve minutes of the game to go. Invited to advance and shoot, Bajrami accepted the invitation and sent an effort goalwards. Deflected, the effort threatened to leave the wrong-footed Griffiths stranded but somehow the stopper managed to adjust his feet and make a fine one handed stop.

Involved until the end Griffiths opted to go forward in injury time as The Bucks managed to win a succession of corners but Harriers stood firm to record another victory in the league and keep pace with Brackley Town and Gateshead.

On this coming Tuesday evening we have another tough game when Hereford FC come to pay us a visit. With them at the top of the current form league it’s going to be a tough one to forecast.

FT: 0 – 1

Goal for Harriers: Cameron 43

The Harriers Online MotM is: Caleb Richards

Talk about the game here

Latest table and stats here

AFC Telford Utd	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Griffiths
Piggott
White
Ward			77
Bood
Streete
Baker			77
Jarratt			65
Goodridge
Nolan
Wright
Subs:
Daniels			77
Oswell			77
Moore			65
Sherif
Shaw
Harriers	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Simpson
Penny
Richards
Cameron
Preston
Carrington			70
Austin
Bajrami			90
Morgan-Smith
Hemmings
Sterling-James			84
Subs:
Lowe			90
Montrose			70
Foulkes
White
Redmond			84
Referee:
Mr Simeon Lucas
Blackburn