Kidderminster Harriers Supporters Team

For the first time the Harriers fans team took two sides to an away game. A party of 37 travelled to Crewe for two games before continuing the journey onto Altrincham. The squad was split into 2 sides. The stronger 'A' side competed in an IFA league fixture whilst the 'B' side played a friendly against a side we had never met before.

Crewe Alexandra Supporters 'A' 4 Harriers Fans Team 'A' 1

Kidderminster Harriers supporters ‘A’ team lost their second consecutive match after going down 4-1 to their Crewe Alexandra counterparts.

In perfect footballing conditions, both teams started off brightly with half chances being created at both ends. Dave Greaves came the closest for the visitors with a decent header that the keeper did well to tip over and Dave Ackerley had to be aware in the Kidderminster goal getting down well to snatch the ball from the advancing Crewe Centre forward.

In glorious sunshine both teams tried to get the ball down and play football, but it seemed the heat was getting to a few of the Harriers players when, for the second consecutive match, bickering set in and it slowly started to look like the Harriers fans were beginning to be the architects of their own down-fall. Both teams stood firm however, and as the half drew to a close it was Harriers who looked the likeliest to get the opener with Dave Goode causing problems from set-pieces and Dave Poutney coming close with a 20 yard strike.

A stern half-time team talk from Gaffer Poutney, didn’t appear to pull the players together, and Crewe started to dominate. Kidderminster lost their Midfield anchor man in Ben Grazier due to the rotation system and Kidderminster couldn’t get out of their own half. Crewe eventually got their deserved opener after a mix-up in defence led to the Crewe player able to bundle the ball home at the far post. It soon got from bad to worse, when a quickly taken free-kick led to Crewe’s second and the third wasn’t far behind when Ackerley was beaten at his near-post. The wheel had well and truly come off.

Crewe continued to push forward and kill the game off, and did so when a penalty was given for a foul by Dave Ackerley and the spot kick was easily despatched. The best goal of the game however was saved for Kidderminster’s consolation when Dave Goode lobbed the keeper direct from the re-take, the perfectly flighted strike from the half-way line left the Keeper clutching at thin air.

There was never going to be a comeback but Harriers did press in the closing stages, but Crewe had done enough to take all 3 points for the IFA league.

Team - Dave Ackerley, Rob Hart, Andrew Coffield, David Goode, David Williams, Ben Grazier, Ash Jarvis, David Pountney, Sean Merryweather, Pete Lewis, Dave Greaves, Mark Connolly and Mark Young.
Scorer - David Goode
Man of the Match - Rob Hart.

Report courtesy of Mark Connolly

More pictures from the game can be found here

Crewe Alexandra Supporters 'B' 0 Harriers Fans Team 'B' 1

KHIST 'B' gained a tenacious victory over a hard-working Crewe side at Nantwich yesterday. Having inherited a dedicated and effervescent squad, Director of Football Mike Peplow and assistant Mike Cooper mapped out a relatively simple hypothesis: a 4-4-2 formation with a disciplined defence and an attack that would be amorous in its quest for free flowing football and goalscoring opportunities.

The opening exchanges were fraught; a scrappy affair as both sides struggled for possession, strategical dominance and oxygen. A series of half-chances by the Alex were quashed by well-marshalled leviathans in the form of veteran Adam 'biffs up!' Smith and Richard 'Shergar Skipper' Millington, whilst Rob 'catch-then-fall-on-the-floor' Holmes mopped up any spillages that the back four allowed to seep through.

As the half wore on Harriers upped the tempo - Nathan Fox, Alex Owen and Roscoe used their youthful endeavours to maximum effect by tormenting the Alex with pace and skill, whilst ex-Polish schoolboy Simon Jarrasinski rifled an effort tantalisingly close. An extensive spell of pressure ensued, occurring via the slingshot throws of Wayne Allen bombarding the Crewe penalty area. There was also an unconfirmed sighting of Mike Cooper breaking into a trot down the right flank.

Under such pressure a goal was almost guaranteed, and the prophecy was fulfilled via a devilish Jarrasinski flag kick that was deliberately dummied by seven Harriers players - a routine practised in training during the week - and FOX was on hand to apply the finishing touch to send the six away fans into crescendo. As the interval loomed Harriers struggled to stem their opponent's offensive waves, and Harriers breathed a sigh of relief as they took their solitary goal into the break.

The second half saw Harriers looking into the looming sunshine and it seemed the heat was sapping the visitors' strength as they retreated into their own half, resorting to counter-attacking sorties as Alexandra piled on the pressure in search of parity. However, the pressure was unrewarded for the home side, and instead Harriers grasped a foothold and launched a resilient and sensible approach that stifled shots on target and created opportunities to use the pace of midfielder Tom Hudson, Fox, Owen and Roscoe. A chance to seal the match came as a spotkick was awarded to Harriers; however Fox's well-struck shot was parried excellently for a corner by the Crewe goal custodian. The penalty save would prove irrelevant to the result as Harriers held out, thus recording a welcome clean sheet.

Finally, a few expressions of gratitude: thanks must go to the officials for their maintenance of the spirit of the game. Credit must go to the whole thirteen man Harriers squad for their character, effort and good sportsmanship. Crewe were likewise a good footballing outfit, and acted as friendly and honest opponents; this allowed for a hard-fought, clean and thoroughly enjoyable festival of football that was a fantastic advert for fans team football worldwide.

Speaking after the game to 111.6FM RADIO McVities, Director of Football Mike 'Soupy' Peplow said:

"I'm pleased for the boys to be fair Jeff: not many teams come here and escape with 3 points. We played some decent stuff out there today and the lads have really earned their day off training tomorrow. I'm also chuffed with the supporters, who have travelled a long way today to see us today.

"Whilst i'm pleased with our performance and professional display today, rumours that the KHIST board have offered me a six year deal with Jaffa Cake performance-related bonuses to replace Dave Pountney as manager of the Fans' Team are definitely wide of the mark. I'm happy to continue what I like doing best: attempting to play left-back for the fan's team, romantic nights in with Youngy and completing my I-Spy book of UK Fast Food outlets".

Team - Rob Holmes, Mike Cooper, Richard Millington, Tom Hudson, Alex Cowen, Mike Peplow, Nathan Fox, Simon Jarrasinski, Dereck McAnenay, Roscoe, Luke Mansell, Wayne Allen and Adam Smith.#
Scorer - Nathan Fox.

Match report courtesy of Mike Peplow

More pictures from the game can be found here