Kidderminster Harriers 2 Stafford Rangers 0
Nationwide Conference
At: Aggborough
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Attendance: 1573
Weather: very cold, dry
Duration: first half: 46:01; second half: 48:02
Stafford got the game underway attacking the Town End in the first, right to left in relation to my position sat in the press box in the main stand.
Both sides went close during the opening exchanges. As early as the 7th minute, a close-range shot from Daniel, upfield to get on the end of a Oldfield corner, was cleared off the line. The home side quickly broke and Alcock did well to keep out a shot from Penn. However, Harriers took the lead in the 10th minutes. A lofted pass from White fell to Simon Russell who fired home via a deflection off McAughtrie.
Stafford’s task was made much harder when Penn sent a rising 20-yard drive into the top-right corner in the 53rd minute. On-loan Constable should have made it three but somehow lifted a shot over the bar from just a couple of yards out. Phil Robinson made a double change in the 79th minute and the two replacements soon combined to almost reduce the deficit. Edwards saw a header cleared off the line from Grayson’s cross. Sutton headed wide before an accurate lob from Lovatt was superbly headed over by Blackwood at the expense of a corner. It just wasn’t Stafford’s night.
Kidderminster Harriers (red/black/black): 1. Scott Bevan, 2. Jeff Kenna, 5. Mark Creighton, 6. Stuart Whitehead (capt), 3. Jonny Harkness, 15. Simon Russell, 4. Gavin Hurren, 16. Russell Penn, 11. Michael Blackwood, 9. Andy White, 26. James Constable. Subs: 7. Jake Sedgemore (for Hurren, 59), 14. Luke Reynolds (for White, 86), 13. Steve Taylor (not used), 18. Brian Smikle (for Harkness, 64), 19. Scott Eaton (not used).
Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes with black sleeves / red / red): 17. Danny Alcock, 26. Richie Sutton, 4. Craig McAughtrie, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 30. Liam Murray, 11. Robin Gibson, 3. Nathan Talbott, 6. Craig Lovatt, 28. David Oldfield, 12. Guy Madjo, 18. Dolapo Olaoye. Subs: 1. Dean Williams (gk not used), 9. Neil Grayson (for Olaoye, 79), 15. Danny Edwards (for Gibson, 79), 20. Alex Gibson (not used), 21. Christian Dacres (not used).
Referee: M Matadar (Lancashire).
Goals:
1-0 Simon Russell (16)
2-0 Russell Penn (54)
