24-11-20 – Report – Kidderminster Harriers 3 Alfreton Town 0

Ashley Hemmings brace earns Harriers the points

Report: Harriershane

Off the back of the six match unbeaten run, that was preserved by Saturday’s draw with Farsley Celtic, the Harriers played host to an Alfreton Town side low on confidence after losing a three goal lead last Tuesday to Leamington before being dispatched with the minimum of fuss by Darlington.

Billy Heath’s side were looking to avoid their worst start to a season since the 2014/15 season when they got relegated out of the National League. Harriers manager Russ Penn elected to hand Cliff Moyo his first start, at the expense of Max Taylor, whilst Heath named an unchanged team, meaning top scorer Elliott Reeves was once again partnered by Jake Day.

The Harriers set about pressing the visitors early on, never giving them the opportunity to play out of their own half, and the bright start would yield the first chance of the game; Ashley Hemmings cutting inside and firing wide of George Willis’ upright. Alfreton had the odd free kick which they would put into the box, but the defence stood firm with Amari Morgan-Smith one of the men thwarting his old side.

The triumvirate of Morgan-Smith, Omari Sterling-James and Ashley Hemmings was beginning to click into gear when Hemmings linked up with Morgan-Smith inside the area before the latter’s touch deserted him allowing Willis to recover. Willis would have to be alert to another threat in behind as this time Sterling-James looked to play Morgan-Smith in.

From the resulting corner the Harriers took the lead through skipper Moyo, who celebrated his return to a starting berth in the finest way and rather effortlessly, it must be said. Hemmings floated the corner in and the Zimbabwean man had the simple task of nodding home from close range.

It took Alfreton thirty five minutes to put Harriers hearts in mouths as Josh Clackstone’s cross found Reeves who saw his header blocked. The ball then dropped to strike partner Day, but Caleb Richards was alive to the danger to make a block before former Harrier Dan Bradley would also be denied.

Bradley would have another go as the half meandered to a close, but again a Harriers defender would make a brave block.

HT: 1 – 0

Despite their relative dominance it is the law of football that a one goal lead is a dangerous one so the Harriers sought to double their lead.

Widemen Hemmings and Sterling-James continued to showcase their flourishing understanding as they switched play at every opportunity, with the latter cutting inside and just missing the target moments after James Jones had made a crucial interception as Harriers once again looked to breach the Alfreton defence.

Elliott Reeves had been relatively quiet for the visitors, marshalled well by Keith Lowe and Moyo, but he would have a half chance in the fifty third minute, but not for the first time in this game, he would be met by a red shirt blocking his path to goal.

Just past the hour mark the Harriers looked to break with Sam Austin, who was body checked by Connor Branson who was already on a yellow card. The midfielder departed the pitch after this incident, through choice as he was replaced, perhaps considering himself fortunate that his marching orders hadn’t been issued by the referee instead.

Balls would continue to be pumped forward by Alfreton, who’s lack of a Plan B was sorely obvious. With twenty minutes remaining the game was put beyond doubt. Quelle surprise, perhaps, that it was to be Sterling-James and Hemmings involved; the latter arriving at the far post to guide a header past Willis from the former’s cross.

With the Harriers secure in the knowledge that the points were bagged, and Alfreton despondent and downhearted, the sting was well and truly taken out of the game with a blunder that would not have been out of place in one of the old “Gaffes and Goals” videos (kids, ask your parents!).

Willis played a goal kick short before receiving it back and looking to clear first time. Harriers were applying moderate pressure, but it was enough to force the mistake as the kick was mishit and clattered off Luke Maxwell, falling into the path of Hemmings who only had to guide it on target from twenty five yards out.

If a goal summed up Alfreton’s night, nay week, that was it.

FT: 3 – 0

Goals for Harriers: Moyo 27, Hemmings 71, 87

The Harriers Online MotM is: Ashley Hemmings

Talk about the game here

Latest table and stats here

Harriers	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Simpson
Penny
Richards
Moyo
Lowe
Montrose
Austin			74
Maxwell
Morgan-Smith
Hemmings			92
Sterling-James			89
Subs:
Palmer
Taylor
Prosser			74
Arthur			89
White			92
Alfreton Town	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Willis
Clackstone
Fox
Branson			67
Lees
Jones
Smith
Bradley
Day			72
Reeves			77
Atkinson
Subs:
Unwin-Marris
Lund
Johnson			72
Walker			77
Clarke			67
Referee:
Mr Jon Kenny
Cheshire