Match report Vs FC Utd of ManchesterVenue: AggboroughDate: 20-10-18Att: 1860 (away fans: 189)

20-10-18 - Report - Kidderminster Harriers 1 FC Utd of Manchester 2

Harriers defeated by the Rebels with a cause

Report: Harriershane

After a fortnight away the Harriers returned to Aggborough, hosting basement side FC United of Manchester, looking to build on the last gasp victory away at Bradford (Park Avenue) last Saturday.

Dan Bradley was deemed worthy of a place in the starting eleven whilst for the visitors it was caretaker manager Dave Chadwick’s final game in charge with the former Bamber Bridge boss Neil Reynolds inheriting the hotseat on Thursday.

Harriers made the perfect start with the game only four minutes old; Declan Weeks assuming responsibility on a free kick twenty five yards from goal, laying the ball off to the in form Ed Williams who bent the ball past Lloyd Allinson. Harriers had started relatively brightly and tested Allinson again shortly after, Ashley Chambers the man denied.

FCUM’s first effort almost resulted in an immediate equaliser. Brandon Hall was on hand to deny Michael Donohue but Elliot Simoes could not convert. With eleven on the clock Harriers should’ve doubled the lead. Chambers found himself onside and through on goal with all the time in the world it seemed. Bemusingly, he contrived to put the ball the wrong side of the post leaving 1600 Harriers fans scratching their heads in collective disbelief.

The ultimate punishment was administered two minutes later by a deflected Jack Banister effort after being played in by Simoes following a driving run which saw Harriers back off incessantly. With twenty four minutes played another Harriers free kick almost bore fruit, but Weeks’ free kick could only strike the upright with Allinson scrambling.

A spate of FCUM bookings followed for what appeared to be unsportsmanlike behaviour before they once again punished Harriers for not taking their chances. Again it was Banister and again it was aided by a deflection, this time off Ryan Johnson. A goal up, and their tails up, FCUM sensed blood and were unfortunate not to get a third almost immediately with Simoes and Theo Brierley both going close.

HT: 1 – 2

After leaving the field to a chorus of boos at half time we were hoping for a Harriers revival. What we did get was Banister nearly grabbing what would have been a deserved hat trick for a side who belied their poor position in the league table.

It took until just before the hour mark for the Harriers to create a reputable chance. Chambers was alert and latched onto a ball over the top before lifting the ball over the advancing Allinson, only to see the ball drop wide. One of those days indeed.

Harriers dominated possession throughout the second half, but did not dominate proceedings, with FCUM always looking dangerous every time they went forward. With less than twenty to play they should have been out of sight when the lively Simoes volleyed against the bar before a scramble which ended with Ryan Johnson hooking the ball off the line.

It took the home side until the final ten minutes to realise their predicament and were almost level but Johnson saw his effort cleared off the line. Minutes later sub Joe Ironside dragged a chance wide as one got the feeling that the old cliches would ring true regarding being there all night. Deep into stoppage time the equaliser almost presented itself with Ironside and Bradley both having efforts denied by Allinson who made a remarkable double save with firstly his feet, then his hands.

The Oldham based referee brought the end to a Harriers horror show which was greeted with another chorus of boos by frustrated home fans.

A great day for Chorley as they qualify for the First Round of the FA Cup whilst retaining their five point gap, whilst for Harriers there is yet more work to be done. Is Ed Williams, with 11 goals from 13 games, papering over some ever-growing cracks?

As for the visitors they were full value for their win and remain a point from safety above stricken Southport, who we welcome to Aggborough for our next home game in fourteen days time.

FT: 1 – 2


Goal for Harriers: Williams 4

Goals for FC Utd: Banister 19, 31


The Harriers Online MotM is: Ed Williams

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Latest table and stats here


HarriersGoalsSubsTimeCards
Hall    
Vaughan    
Austin 58 
O’Connor    
Horsfall    
Johnson    
Weeks 54 
Daniels    
Bradley    
Chambers 65 
Williams   
 
Subs: 
Richards 58
Ironside 65 
Taylor    
Baxendale 54 
Digie    
 
FC Utd of ManchesterGoalsSubsTimeCards
Allinson    
Senior   
Thompson    
O’Halloran    
Lynch   
Lonsdale   
Healey 65 
Brierley    
Simoes 70 
Donohue    
Banister82 
 
Subs: 
Perrin    
Affleck    
Crawford 70 
Egan 65 
Limpishi-Bongwamba 82 
     
Referee: 
Mr Thomas Parsons
Oldham