Kidderminster Harriers Supporters Team

The Harriers fans team kicked off the season with a rare defeat against Mansfield Town supporters at the weekend. Due to cricket, work, weddings and the indifferent form of the first team a much changed side headed for Ashfield School on the outskirts of Mansfield.

Mansfield started the game very well playing some good football but the experienced central pairing of Mark Connolly and Freebie Williams held strong. After ten minutes though the squad strength was further tested with last seasons top goalscorer David Greaves badly twisting his ankle and having to be substituted. Despite this the Harriers continued to try and catch Mansfield on the break with 16 year old Ashley Jarvis causing the opposition defence problems. Midway through the first half though Mansfield took the lead after Mark Young's attempted chest back to the keeper fell short and the grateful opposition player tapped it into an empty net. Kiddy continued to look for the equaliser but Mansfield ended the half stronger and hit the woodwork twice to lead by the one goal at halftime.

In the second half following a few positional changes the Harriers started to keep the ball better and started to look more threatening going forward. The injury jinx struck again with a clash of heads resulting in player manager Pountney having to be replaced. Despite all this the Harriers equalised after a scramble in the area with Ben Grazier tapping in from 6 yards. All the good work was soon undone as Mansfield proceeded to score within minutes of the restart. Harriers continued to throw players forward but the Mansfield defence stood firm to give our hosts a tight 2-1 victory.

It was a spirited performance by a patched up side against experienced opponents with Mark Connolly and Ashley Jarvis the pick of the Harriers players. Kiddy travel to new opponents Burton Albion on Bank holiday monday and will be hoping that our physio will not be so busy!
Many thanks to Steve and his Mansfield side for their hospitality and an enjoyable game played in the right spirit.

Team : Dave Ackerley, Dave Williams, Rob Hart, Mike Peplow, Ed Dursley, David Pountney, Brad Drew, Tom Salter, Paul Knight, David Greaves, Ash Jarvis, Mark Young, Ben Grazier and Mark Connolly.

Scorer : Ben Grazier

MOM : Mark Connolly

More Pictures from the game can be found here