Kidderminster Harriers Supporters Team

The Harriers were unlucky to concede two goals in the last 10 minutes to lose a closely fought game on the edges of Wimbledon Common on Saturday to end their four match unbeaten run.

Suprisingly the KHIST side were missing a total of 12 'regulars' but manager Dave Pountney still managed to assemble a squad of 15 for the trip down south. On closer inspection though 10 of the 15 man squad were goalkeepers or defenders along with one forward. Harriers started with a very defensive 5-3-2 formation with the aim of playing on the counter attack whilst trying to achieve their first clean sheet in 16 games.

Despite all this, Harriers settled well with the 3 central defenders resisting the Wimbledon pressure whilst looking to score on the break. As the half wore on Kiddy grew in confidence as their new found defensive strength gave hope of an away win. Wimbledon hit the bar with a free kick but new goalie Brett Caufield commanded his area well.

With the first set of changes after 30 minutes, the Harriers continued to fight for every ball with the golden oldies Dave Williams and Wayne Allen putting in strong performances. The half time whistle blew with both sides enjoying a rare goaless half.

The second half continued where the first left off, with Wimbledon playing some pretty football and the Harriers playing on the counter. Dave Pountney ran half the length of the pitch with the ball but his tame shot was easily saved. The best chance of the game fell to Mike 'Soupy' Peplow, Pountney crossed the ball in, for Soupy to burst into the area with the goal at his mercy. Either the ball was an an awkward height or he was dreaming of his next meal and his 'shot' skimmed the top of the bar.

With 10 minutes to go a tiring Harriers side conceded. After a ball over the top, Mark Connolly, who up to then had been fautless at the back, got caught in two minds and the advancing forward nipped in to prod the ball past the stationary Harriers sub goalie. With just minutes to go and pushing for the equaliser Harriers were caught again after a ball into the area was not dealt with and Harriers were two down and defeated.

It was an excellent defensive display by the Harriers who were dissapointed not to get anything out of the game after being so close to the elusive clean sheet. The result may have been different had the team had more options going forward but excellent displays by Chris Lacey, Mark Connolly, Ian Danby, Dave Williams at the back and Tom Sharland and man of the match Ollie Sewell in midfield kept the Harriers in the game.

Team - Brett Caufield, Luke Mansell, Mark Connolly, Chris Lacey, Andrew Coffield, Dave Pountney, Ian Danby, Ash Jarvis, Wayne Allen, Tom Sharland, Mike Peplow, Dave Williams, Ollie Sewell, Ben Grazier and Richard Millington.

Man of the match - Ollie Sewell