Kidderminster Harriers Supporters Team

Harrier’s fans team ended their run of nine away games without defeat with a 3-2 reverse at the hands of a strong Preston ‘B’ side on their way up to Barrow.

The 16 man squad arrived at Preston en route to Barrow for the 10am kick-off to discover the changing facilities were not yet open and were forced to get kitted up on the road-side, but once the players were changed, warmed up and given their instructions by the gaffer, it was the away side that started brightest. John Wenham, Dave Greaves and Ben Grazier all asked questions of the Preston back-line but Harriers were unable to create any clear-cut chances.

It was the home side though that took the lead, a direct free-kick was awarded just outside the area, the Preston forward stepped up and his effort bounced awkwardly in front of Dave Ackerley in goal and found its way into the back of the net. The lead didn’t last long however, the Preston defence tried to play Dave Greaves off-side, but the flag stayed down, and Greaves coolly slotted home from 12 yards with a precise left footed effort. Harriers should have gone into half-time with the lead but Greaves headed over after some good work from Wenham on the right wing.

Harriers were quicker out the traps in the second half and took the lead after 50mins when Shaun Merryweather found himself unmarked on the edge of the 6-yard box and made no mistake with the finish. Preston then stepped up a gear and started to dominate the midfield and put the Harriers under pressure.

It wasn’t long before Preston were back on level terms when Mark Young’s clearance ricocheted off Adam Matthews and fell kindly for the centre forward to tap home. Preston continued their dominance throughout the second half and Harriers started to lose shape when substitutions were made. Preston took the lead after what looked like an off-side inside the Harriers penalty box, but once again the flag stayed down and the Preston Centre forward made it 3-2.

With time running out Harriers slowly started to press and in the closing minutes threw everything at Preston but were unable to break down the resolute defence. Mark Connolly could have levelled it but he couldn’t get enough on his header and Mark Young saw his curling free-kick skim off the top of the cross-bar. As the ref blew the final whistle there was relief and celebrations amongst the home team which showed just how close and competitive the game was. It was difficult to pick out a man-of-the-match as every player put in 100% but Dave Pountney and Ollie Sewell were singled out by the home manager so they share the accolade

Team: Mark Young, Dave Ackerley, John Smith, Chris Lacey, Andrew Coffield, Rob Hart, Dave Pountney, Richard Millington, Sean Merryweather, Ollie Sewell, John Wenham, Mark Connolly, Dave Greaves, Ben Grazier, Mike Peplow & Adam Matthews

Scorers : Dave Greaves and Sean Merryweather

Man of the Match - David Pountney / Ollie Sewell

match report courtesy of Mark Connolly

More pictures from the game are here