29-09-18 – Report – Kidderminster Harriers 3 Altrincham 2

Harriers beat the best side seen so far

Report: Harriershane

Harriers fell over the line at sunny Aggborough today with a 3-2 victory over an Altrincham side who can consider themselves highly unfortunate to have not walked away with a share of the spoils, although they walk away with the tag of probably the best team we have hosted this season to date.

The Harriers manager Neil MacFarlane made two changes to the side that routed Atherstone, with Ryan Johnson and Billy Daniels returning to the fray. This also meant that Dan Bradley’s hat trick was enough to keep him in the team at the expense of Joe Ironside; Ash Chambers his partner.

The game couldn’t have started any better if Harriers had tried; Declan Weeks taking aim from distance and seeing his strike parried by a suspect Elliot Wynne directly to Ed Williams who finished at the near post with only thirty seven seconds on the clock. This woke the visitors up; John Johnston and Sean Williams both having efforts on goal as Phil Parkinson’s men grabbed a foothold in the game.

At the midway point of the first half, with Harriers consistently sitting ten yards off their opponents, Altrincham struck. Owen Dale created the opportunity by getting to the byline before pulling it back for Johnston to sweep home past Brandon Hall. Truthfully, it was what the Robins deserved.

With ten minutes to play the Harriers retook the lead, perhaps against the run of play. Moments before the goal Dan Bradley had flashed an effort wide but when Ryan Johnson brought the ball out of defence and bisected the Alty backline with a great through ball, he would make no mistake by firing across Wynne.

On the stroke of half time Chambers made it 3-1. Excellent intricate football from Harriers saw the ball laid into Williams with his back to goal. His touch was perfect for the onrushing Chambers, who swept home from the edge of the box with glee.

HT: 3 – 1

The half time scoreline was admittedly flattering Harriers somewhat and with less than ten played in the second half, the deficit was halved. Max Harrop struck a low free kick which appeared to deceive Jimmy O’Connor, who could only offer a toe to divert the ball past Brandon Hall.

With sixty five on the clock Harriers should have killed the game with Fraser Horsfall having a shot well saved by Wynne before Billy Daniels struck the rebound agonisingly wide from sixteen yards on the angle.

With ten left on the clock Ed Williams very nearly made it 4-2 with an effort that was, quite frankly, Lolley-esque. Picking the ball up in midfield, he skipped past the visiting defence, leaving one or two of them on the floor, before checking inside and bending in an effort that unfortunately flew just over the bar.

The visitors then began to throw the kitchen sink and more at Harriers but their search for a point was in vain. Quite how the ball didn’t fall for them will take some explaining though with a heart stopping goalmouth scramble ensuing following a succession of corners. A header came in from one of the many purple shirts which hit the post, beating Brandon Hall’s desperate dive.

With the keeper stricken on the deck we expected heartbreak as Altrincham equalised. Only they didn’t, as the ball hit Hall on the back and stayed out allowing Ryan Johnson to find the East Stand and the referee his whistle to signal the end of an open and entertaining game of football. A game of football that last year we probably would’ve caved in and drawn.

Up next for Harriers is the FA Cup derby against Stourbridge FC, who beat Needham Market 3-1 at home today. Can Neil MacFarlane lay to rest the ghosts of Stourbridge past? There will be plenty of us there to will it on.

FT: 3 – 2

Goals for Harriers: Williams 1, Bradley 34, Chambers 44

Goals for Altrincham: Johnston 22, O’Connor 52 (og)

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Harriers	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Hall
Vaughan
Austin
O’Connor	(og)
Horsfall
Johnson
Weeks
Daniels
Bradley			70
Chambers			72
E Williams			87
Subs:
Palmer
Richards			72
Ironside			70
Digie
Baxendale			87
Altrincham	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Wynne
White
Hampson
Jones
Hannigan
Moult
Johnston
S Williams			77
Peers			56
Harrop
Dale			56
Subs:
Thompson
Hancock			56
Hulme			56
Goulding
Poole			77
Referee:
Mr James Bell
Sheffield