26-09-23. Kidderminster Harriers 1 Oldham Athletic 2. Match report

A far better performance from the Harriers

Report: Phil Lench

A goal from Bailey Hobson on his home debut for the Harriers was enough to give us the confidence of a better performance but sadly it wasn’t enough to get us the home win that we’re still waiting for. Earlier, in the first half, a superb goal from the former Stourbridge FC and AFC Telford Utd player, Devarn Green, had given Oldham the lead against the run of play but we stuck to our guns and with the chances created we should have scored more but sadly it wasn’t to be.

In response to the criticism of his choice of formation so far this season Russ Penn dropped the five at the back to a four but without proper wingers and instead utilising Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain in front of the back four while Caleb Richards seemed to be still playing his wing back role. Just think what could have been with Kieran Phillips and Jack Lambert out wide instead.

An early injury to Nathaniel Knight-Percival would normally have seen us revert back but a straight swap for Barry Maguire meant we carried on as before and we kept going trying to force a breakthrough but the Oldham defenders were standing firm.

Then came the sucker punch of their goal when Green was played in on the edge of the area and lined his strike up. Four Harriers defenders stood off watching, again, and Green let fly with an unstoppable shot that flew into the back of the net.

We tried our best to get back into the game and a couple of efforts from Hobson went close, but not close enough.

HT: 0 – 1

The second period saw something of a slower start for us but Oldham failed to take advantage of that with Joe Nuttall and Brennan Dickenson going the closest but not close enough. Closer was the Ox’s fierce shot from outside the area that looked to be in to all watching but had gone into the side netting instead.

That was just a taster and minutes later we’d drawn level when Hobson, on loan from Chesterfield, was supplied the ball by Gerry McDonagh, holding off a defender, slip the ball through to him to fire the ball home for his first goal in Harriers colours.

Continuing with our revelationary new way of playing we continued to press the Oldham defence as much as we could but they packed the area as much as they could and we just couldn’t get a clear sight of goal.

With just over ten minutes to go the visitors took the lead once again and it was one that they would keep. A long crossfield pass found Mark Kitching who advanced, with the ball, on the Ox but instead of closing him down he stood off slightly then turned his back on the cross to the far post where Christian Dibble failed to hold the ball allowing it to fall to Alex Reid who bundled the ball home.

Kobe Hall came on in place of McDonagh later but his inexperience showed and a spell out on loan would be more beneficial to him rather that hoping he might score an important goal. There was a better option on the bench for that but Phillips seems to be out of favour for some unknown reason.

We now still await our first home win but on this showing it shouldn’t be too long coming as long as we stick to this formation. Go back to the previous five at the back then that won’t happen.

We could also do without a section of our crowd booing the players off at the end of the game too so do the club a favour and stay at home for the game against Barnet this coming Saturday please.

FT: 1 – 2

Goal for Harriers: Hobson 62

Goals for Oldham Athletic: Green 20, Reid 78

The Harriers Online MotM is: Bailey Hobson

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Latest table and stats here

Harriers	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Dibble
Penny
Richards
Knight-Percival			11
Pearce
Oxlade-Chamberlain
Brown
McDonagh			85
Morgan-Smith
Hemmings
B Hobson
Subs:
Palmer
Maguire			11
Lissimore
Phillips
Hall			85
Oldham Athletic	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Hudson
Sutton
Kitching
Hogan
S Hobson
Gardener			15
Sheron
Green
Norwood			68
Nuttall			68
Dickenson
Subs:
Norman
Reid			68
Hope
Willoughby			68
Shelton			15
Referee:
Mr David Richardson
Halifax