14-09-19 – Report – Kidderminster Harriers 2 Altrincham 0

 Are we getting back to how it should be?

Report: Harriershane

The Harriers welcomed one of last year’s high flying teams, Altrincham, to Aggborough today with John Pemberton’s side still searching for their first home win, whilst Phil Parkinson’s Robins were looking to avoid a fourth consecutive away defeat. Rumoured to be signing for Harriers at numerous points throughout the last two months, Ashley Hemmings, the former Wolves left sided attacker, took his place in the visiting starting lineup hoping to show Harriers just what they allegedly missed out on.

Pemberton made four changes from the draw with Blyth Spartans with Tom Palmer replacing the crocked Cameron Gregory in goal, whilst Milan Butterfield and Rhys Williams returned from international duty and to the first eleven; Ed Williams the other change at the expense of Ollie Shenton.

The Harriers were also given a boost by the attendance of the Norwegian fan club, who contributed to a positive atmosphere.

In a fast paced game the Harriers looked to dominate and put the visitors onto the back foot. It came as no surprise, therefore, when the hosts broke the deadlock with just eleven on the clock; Correy Davidson playing the ball into Ashley Chambers who stepped onto it and lobbed Tony Thompson in the Altrincham goal.

For the visitors Jordan Hulme was trying to be a nuisance, backing into the Harriers centre halves and drawing questionable free kicks, and was involved in the visitors first foray forward; John Johnston firing wide. Midway through the half and the visitors’ best chance presented itself in the shape of a corner. The delivery was tricky and, with the ball ricocheting across the box and being poked towards goal, it fell to Milan Butterfield to hack away with Palmer potentially beaten.

The Harriers striking duo of Chambers and Richard Peniket were causing all kind of problems, pressing the backline relentlessly and gaining success time and time again. After half an hour the high press caught The Robins out and Chambers was released. With Ed Williams square, the front man unselfishly teed up his team mate who was then denied by the outstretched leg of Thompson.

Approaching half time Peniket again was involved picking up the ball on the halfway line before embarking on a slaloming run, beating two defenders, but was sadly denied an effort on goal by an excellent covering tackle. Four minutes later he was again denied, this time by the post after he curled an effort from just inside the box through a melee of legs.

HT: 1 – 0

The second half started where Harriers had left off with the high press employed to full effect. Although never really threatened there was always the feeling that a doubling of the lead would effectively kill the game.

After fifty minutes it should have been 2-0. A searching corner was delivered by Declan Weeks forcing a scramble with Rhys Williams prodding goalwards only to be denied by a great Thompson save. Peniket was then presented with a chance, six yards from goal, but he could only fire wide.

Such was the domination for Harriers that even Sam Austin almost got in on the act with the former Burton Albion man firing wide.

As we passed the halfway mark in the game the lead was finally doubled. A long ball forward from Declan Weeks picked out Chambers who expertly controlled the ball and raced away from the chasing defenders before firing a venomous effort in via the near post. It was just what Harriers had deserved and after the trevails of the season thus far it was refreshing to see the freedom in their play. It was like a weight had been lifted.

Thompson was forced to Altrincham’s rescue, time and again, this time making a smart save from a curling Ed Williams effort and smothering the ball at the feet of Rhys Williams. That was punctuated by a well struck free kick from Hemmings, but Tom Palmer was equal to it, claiming the ball low down.

The last action of the game was another Hemmings effort, caught well on the full by Palmer.

Following a free week it was good to see the football and tactical ideas employed by Harriers work. As already alluded to they played from the off like a weight had been lifted from them. With the off field uncertainty of recent times could this be taken as a sign that the relevant deal’s have been done and we can all get back to concentrating on the football again?

Let’s hope so..

FT: 2 – 0

Goals for Harriers: Chambers 11, 65

The Harriers Online MotM is: Ashley Chambers

Talk about the game here

Latest table and stats here

Harriers	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Palmer
Austin
Davidson			86
R Williams
Moyo
Johnson
Weeks
Butterfield
Chambers			85
E Williams			92
Peniket
Subs:
Mountjoy
Prosser			85
Higginson			86
Shenton			92
D Lowth
Altrincham	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Thompson
White
Hampson
Jones			17
Hannigan
Moult
Johnston
S Williams
Hulme			73
Hancock			63
Hemmings
Subs:
Torrance
Peers			73
Densmore
Mullarkey			17
Harrop			63
Referee:
Mr Michael Barlow
Bolton