Published: 12-07-17By Harrier Shane & Harry211

Harriers 0 Aston Villa 3

Harriers beaten by strong Villains

Two defeats in as many days for Harriers as Aston Villa dispatch us by a 3-0 score line.

The Villains certainly defied my expectations after hearing it was a split squad by naming a first half side of significant strength, managed by former Nottingham Forest defender Colin Calderwood, whilst Steve Bruce took the side at Telford.

Those of us on John Terry watch were disappointed in both locations, as he was spotted at Wimbledon watching that other stuff.

To Aggborough then, and another quick goal conceded. The 9th minute was when Villa created a chance, with the keeper making a smart save onto the crossbar, before it was finally converted by Conor Hourihane at his third attempt.

Harriers had actually started Ok, with Liam Truslove having an effort go wide and after the goal, the giant Liam Daly headed over from a corner. The last time we had someone of his height was the ill-fated Exodus Geohaghan and I make it that Daly has already won more headers than Ex.

A positive start, if very simple in its difficulty. A surprisingly decent game appeared to be unfolding when Harriers conceded a free kick, taken by Hourihane leaving James Chester with a simple finish on the half hour mark. 2-0.

Micah Richards headed over shortly after and that was about that. 

Half time saw the introduction of other players who were simply persona non grata, as we appear to have more trialists than Birmingham Crown Court, as expected.

The visitors should’ve had an early penalty when the marauding full back Aaron Tshibola was brought down. Had it been a game worth something it would’ve been given.

Record signing Ross McCormack fashioned himself a couple of chances which were saved well by the unknown goalkeeper. On that note, it was nice to see that Mr McCormack’s gate did not fail him, for it appeared to be quite a pleasant evening at Aggborough.

This writer has to admit to missing the third goal, but is reliably informed it was a youngster Harry McKirdy with the goal. Ones apathy leading to a trip to the cupboard for a bag of crisps costing him dearly.

Pre-season is for mistakes and learning after all! 3-0 it finished, and a couple of half decent attendances to open. It’s early days yet, and hard may it be for some people to realise, these games really do not matter and it would be foolish to get too worked up and over analyse these things.

What would be nice, would be to actually know who we are watching. Never mind. Ahh the joys of pre season, how we welcome your return (or something like that)

And a report from Harry211

The four division difference between Kidderminster Harriers and Aston Villa paid as the Villians ran out 3-0 winners at Aggborough yesterday evening. Goals from Conor Hourihane, James Chester and Harry McKirdy downed a Harriers side who perhaps deserved a goal for their efforts.

It was the home side’s second game against Championship opponents in as many days. Aston Villa visited Aggborough for the first time for many years, and although former England captain John Terry didn’t star, their side featured Scott Hogan and Ross McCormack, who combined are worth around £35m.

Within two minutes Villa could have taken the lead, McCormack found space inside the Harriers area and fired a shot to the left of trialist goalkeeper Conor Hudnott, which was well saved.

The away side’s pressure eventually told and Villa took the lead. Alan Hutton mauruding up the right wing was causing Harriers problems. When a ball eventually found its way into the area, Harriers’ flailing defenders failed to clear the ball, and with Liam Daly and his trialist defensive partner on the floor, former Barnsley man Conor Hourihane broke the deadlock.

To their credit, Harriers at times did test the Villa defence. Former England defender Micah Richards looked as though he had a mistake in him, and the linkup between Joe Ironside and Liam Truslove created chances that troubled Mark Bunn in the visitor’s goal.

Villa’s second goal came through a well-worked set piece after half an hour. An in swinging free kick from the right found an unmarked James Chester who prodded the ball past Hall.

The second half was interrupted by changes, but saw Harriers with a guilt-edge chance early on. Andre Brown received a ball from substitute trialist number 17. Brown took the ball and looked to have slipped it past Bunn, but it went wide of the post.

The home side had a much better half, and looked as though they were a killer ball, or a willingness to shoot away from getting on the scoresheet. However profligacy meant it was Villa who had the final goal in front of the 2408 fans. Young Harry McKirdy fired home to send travelling Villa fans home happy.

Harriers performed well against a side several divisions above them. Yet even in these early days, the clear insistence on playing the ‘right way’ and not pulling the trigger could cost the club dearly in the season ahead.