Kidderminster Harriers Supporters Team

HARRIERS CRUISE TO WIN IN KETTERING

A 15 man squad travelled to Northamptonshire to beat a competitive Kettering Town fans team on Saturday. Stand in Manager Mark Connolly sent the team out with a solid 4 4 2 formation with Brett Caufield was in the sticks again as Dave Ackers was off buying MORE furniture from B&Q!,

Kettering had their best moments in the first ten minutes as the Harriers got off to a slow start and should have gone ahead but for some good goalkeeping and last ditch defending. However 15 minutes in Dave Williams scuffed a shot towards goal leaving Tom Duffield to poke home on his return to the side. Then on 36 minutes Lewis Pountney sidefooted a freekick through a gaping whole in the hosts wall to double the lead. Harriers went into halftime winning 2-0 but could have been more with better finishing and a better linesman.

Kettering started the second half brightly again but never really looked like scoring as Kiddy defended solidly with Mark Young and Ollie Sewell at the heart of most good things. Lewis Pountney then made it 3-0 when turning the Kettering defence inside out, then smash the ball across an exposed keeper.

Kettering were back in the game though when they went down the left hand side and after some poor defending made the scoreline 3-1. Minutes later our hosts were then awarded a 'soft' penalty with made it a tense 3-2. After 10 minutes of scrappy football the goal of the game took place with another one of our 'long punts' fell to Duffield who lofted it over the advancing keeper to kill off the Kettering comeback. Then just before the final whistle Duffield once again broke free to score and collect the match ball.

It was a very good win in the windy conditions and a great hat trick by Tom Duffield on his return to the side. Kiddy were marshalled well at the back by man of the match Ollie Sewell but it was a great all round team effort that won the game. Well done also to the Kettering referee who should think about applying to Fifa as im sure he wouldnt have missed the French handball the other night! Mark Connolly will be pleased to pick up his first win as stand in Manager and the team will look to continue its good form at home to AFC Wimbledon next week.

Team - Brett Caufield, Mark Connolly, Ollie Sewell, Dave Williams, Lewis Pountney, Tom Duffield, Tom Hudson, Sean Merryweather, Wayne Allen, Mark Young, Andrew Coffield, Richard Millington, Ash Jarvis, Scott Mason and Nathan Fox.

Scorers - Tom Duffield 3 and Lewis Pountney 2

Man of the Match - Ollie Sewell

Match report courtesy of Lewis Pountney