17-11-20 – Report – Brackley Town 0 Kidderminster Harriers 2

The Harriers get their first ever win at Brackley

Report: Harriershane

After their second enforced free weekend thanks to *that* C-word, the Harriers travelled across to what has been an unhappy hunting ground in St James’ Park and Brackley Town.

The Saints added Ashley Chambers in the summer to double up their ex-Kiddy contingent, alongside of course, Danny Lewis. Chambers would start on the bench with the in-form Tre Mitford partnering Lee Ndlovu once more. Danny Lewis was still suffering the effects of an injury sustained a fortnight ago, so Alastaire Worby continued to deputise for the third straight league game.

The Harriers manager, Russ Penn, was able to welcome Omari Sterling-James back into the fold, with Luke Maxwell the second of two changes, replacing Alex Prosser in the engine room.

In better times those late to their seat would miss an early goal. In these times though a blank, blue streaming screen is the cause, not that it mattered too much to the Harriers fans who had purchased said stream as they took a fifth minute lead; Amari Morgan-Smith getting his first goal since his return finishing off a deep Alex Penny cross.

The Harriers would be required to defend their lead, with Lee Ndlovu firing over. Shortly after the half hour mark the Harriers doubled their lead with a counter attack executed with surgical precision. Sterling-James picked the ball up inside his own half and led the break, being ably assisted by Caleb Richards, who put the ball on a plate for the onrushing Sam Austin to turn home his third goal of the season.

Looking for his third goal in as many league starts, Mitford connected with a cross from out wide, but the former Kettering man could only guide his header past Luke Simpson’s post.

HT: 0 – 2

Perhaps wary of the hosts Houdini act on Saturday, grabbing a draw from the jaws of defeat up at Gateshead, one felt that seeing out the opening portion of the second half would be vital in helping secure the three points and that is what happened.

Not a lot of noteworthy action took place in the opening fifteen minutes of the half, although the home side did enjoy their fair share of possession. With sixty five minutes played came the first of two major scares that would endanger the Harriers clean sheet when Ndlovu connected with Matt Lowe’s cross, striking the foot of the post from around ten yards out. The second of those scares came with fifteen minutes to go.

The home side were convinced they had pulled a goal back through Gareth Dean but Luke Simpson denied them though, in the midst of a scramble, with bodies everywhere. When the proverbial dust settled it was Simpson prone on the ground, but in control of the ball, with the home side looking to the referee. Fortunately for Harriers, there was no decision to make.

The pressure on our goal continued, without any undue worry outside of a vague penalty shout following a coming together in the box. Ultimately the Harriers’ new found resilience shone through as they claimed their first ever victory/point in Brackley and made it five games unbeaten overall.

{Phils’ bit} Let’s hope that the match stream at Farsley Celtic this Saturday won’t be as bad as the one we witnessed tonight. I remember when £2 would have bought you a bag of chips, ten Park Drive ciggies, a pint of warm beer and a night out at the local palais de danse. Can’t even get a decent stream for that now.

FT: 0 – 2

Goals for Harriers: Morgan-Smith 6, Austin 33

The Harriers Online MotM is: Keith Lowe

Talk about the game here

Latest table and stats here

Brackley Town	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Worby
Myles			62
Walker			46
Byrne
Cullinane-Liburd
Dean
M Lowe
Murombedzi
Ndlovu
Mitford
Coleman
Subs:
Lewis
Flowers
York			62
Chambers			46
Noon
Harriers	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Simpson
Penny			76
Richards
Taylor
K Lowe
Montrose
Austin
Maxwell
Morgan-Smith			93
Hemmings
Sterling-James			74
Subs:
Palmer
Arthur			93
Prosser			74
White
Moyo			76
Referee:
Mr Dean Watson
Lancashire