Kidderminster Harriers Supporters Team

Kidderminster Harriers Supporters' Team claimed victory on the road this week with a well-earned win at local rivals AFC Telford United.

The short trip up the A442 was a prelude to Harriers' home game with Crawley Town, and it was the first time that their Shropshire neighbours had entertained them, with it being only their second game since their inception as a fans team.

A new look squad (no less than three players were making their debuts for the team) took to the pitch at Phoenix Park, as Player-Manager Dave Pountney had ruled with an iron-fist with regard to suspensions. Dave Goode and Mark Young had both been omitted from the squad for this clash due to their non-attendance for the Luton game last weekend and without a few other regulars it was unfamiliar line-up.

Brett Caulfield took the gloves, with a back four of Ian Danby, Rich Millington, Ash Jarvis and Mark Connolly, a man desperate to shake-off the negative press which he had received in recent weeks. Ollie Sewell and Lewis Pountney took to the centre of the park, flanked by Alex Owen and Charlie Connolly, making his first apperance in the famous red and white (we actually played in yellow), whilst Nathan Fox and 'one in one' striker Adam Matthews led the line. Rob Hart, Mike Peplow, Scott Mason, Joe Loveridge and Tom Hudson were the men desperate to catch gaffer Pountney's eye on the sideline, as well as the veteran naming himself on the substitute's bench.

Harriers were immediately on top and the younger of the Pountney brothers began to boss the midfield, however it was evident he didn't have his shooting boots on and some of his efforts were closer to making their way back to Aberystwyth with Soupy than troubling the Bucks' keeper. Lex and Foxy both went close with testing efforts before Harriers eventually broke the inevitable deadlock. Charlie Connolly finished with aplomb from close range after the deadly striker (that's me, by the way) couldn't quite loop the ball over the keeper's head.

Telford were still in the game at this point but their task was made all the more harder when a corner was seemingly bundled home by Ian Danby, although he didn't claim the goal. Everyone was under the impression that it was expertly 'shouldered' home but the effort went down as an own goal and Harriers went in two goals to the good at the break.

Following a raft of changes to the line-up for the second period, the hosts got themselves back into the game and their pressure told as they finally got the ball past custodian Caulfield in the Harriers' goal, although i'd like to confirm Mav was NOT at fault for this and he did answer his critics in the press with his return to form. A Tom Hudson header, celebrated as if Harriers had won the Blue Square Premier title, gave Kiddy their two-goal advantage back. Telford scored again before Joe Loveridge bagged himself a debut goal with a neat finish.

The score remained 4-2 as Harriers soaked up the pressure at the back. Two points I feel I must pick out from the second half; Harty's defensive free kick, which nearly knocked Tom's block off was probably the fastest man has ever connected with a football, and Soupy's BeeGees impression when launching his trademark long throw down the line was enough entertainment for both sets of fans. 'Daaaaaave!!'.

Nathan Fox claimed the star man gong for his tireless running, and that long throw really is deadly. Special mention to Ash Jarvis this week, who hobbled off with a knock in the second half but his showing in the first period was excellent at left-back, pushing forward to support in attack and also snuffing out the threat from the Telford winger.

All in all, in a succesful game against a useful side who will grow stronger once they have played a few more games together. I'm sure Telford will be willing to travel down to the Cookley Cauldron for a rematch soon, and I think the Harriers' fans team have recruited yet another set of friends amongst the fans' football fraternity.

Now, where did I put those shooting boots?

Match report courtesy of Adam 'Ede' Matthews

Team - Brett Caufield, Mark Connolly, Dave Pountney, Ian Danby, Ash Jarvis, Ollie Sewell, Richard Millington, Lewis Pountney, Nathan Fox, Scott Mason, Joe Loveridge, Charlie Connolly, Rob Hart, Tom Hudson, Adam Matthews, Mike Peplow and Alex Owen.

Scorers - Joe Loveridge, Charlie Connolly, Tom Hudson and own goal

Man of the match - Nathan Fox