Kidderminster Harriers Supporters Team

Friday

A party of 32 travelled up to Leeds University for the now annual trip to the international supporters football tournament and as usual had a great time both on and off the pitch. Harriers fielded both an A and B team with differing ambitions!

The weekend of football kicked off with the England versus Scotland supporters international. KHIST had the honour of supplying three players after goalkeeper Brett Caufield recieved a late call up from thr bar! Brett, Lewis Pountney and Chris Lacey all started the game and played solidly in a 2-1 England victory.

Saturday

After a late night both teams had the luxury of an 11am start with Dave Pountney managing the 'A' team and Steve Fox taking the 'B' side.

KIDDERMINSTER 'A' 2 PORTSMOUTH 0
Despite a few delicate heads the A team got off to the best possible start as Dave Pountney broke free to pull the ball back to Nathan Fox who made no mistake from 6 yards. However despite creating chances the elusive second goal was hard to find. At the start of the second half Pompey hit the bar and had another one saved before sub James Wasko made the game safe after following in a Lewis Pountney shot.

KIDDERMINSTER 'A' 4 DERBY COUNTY 0
Harriers played possibly their best football of the tournament in the first half as they raced into a four goal half time lead. Goals from Paul Wong (2), Chris Lacey and Lewis Pountney. Complacency and an improved Derby performance in the second half meant there was no more score.

KIDDERMINSTER 'A' 2 ABERDEEN 2
Both sides winning their first two games guaranteed that they would compete in the Cup competition on Sunday and the winner would top the group. KHIST got off to a great start as Ben Grazier converted a Lewis Pountney cross. However a strong Scottish side soon pinned the Harriers back and sailed into a half time 2-1 lead. Harriers kept themselves in the game and got a deserved equaliser from Dave Goode after Dave Pountney hit the post. The score stayed that way thanks to a late save from England international Brett Caufield.

KIDDERMINSTER 'B' 0 DUNFERMLINE 4
The weaker of the two KHIST sides got off to a terrible start and conceded three quick goals to give themselves a mountain to claim. A better second half performance gave the side hope of better things to come.

KIDDERMINSTER 'B' 0 PETERBOROUGH UNITED 4
Manager Steve Fox made a few changes but the side continued to struggle against strong opposition. A better performance but still no goal.

KIDDERMINSTER 'B' 0 DUMBARTON 0
In the final game of the group against the league leaders resulted in Harriers best performance. Solid defending by Tim Price and Ian Danby gave Harriers hope and Richard Millington could have snatched victory as he spotted the goalie off his line 40 yards out but his lob rebounded off the post to safety.

Sunday

Cup
KIDDERMINSTER 'A' 2 ROTHERAM UNITED 1
Despite just a few hours sleep Kiddy turned in an impressive performance against previous winners Rotheram United. It all started badly though as the Millers took the lead after Harriers got caught in posession. Despite tiredness and injury KHIST kept going and goals from Paul Wong and Lewis Pountney gave Harriers an unlikely victory.

KIDDERMINSTER 'A' 0 RC LENS 2
The 'A' side crashed out in the last 16 to an impressive French side. Injuries and Triredness started to take affect and KHIST didnt really do themselves justice. RC Lens took a half time lead as the French were first to every ball. Chris Lacey was sent off late on for a professional foul and Lens added a late second to send them through to the Quarter Finals.

Plate
KIDDERMINSTER 'B' 0 OXFORD UNITED 4
The 'B' side competing in the Plate competition 'enjoyed' an 8am kick off due to their previous day's performance. With quite of the few of the squad not arriving home till 5.45am not a lot was expected and that is how it turned out. Harriers rarely tested Oxford as the 'B' side exited the competition before breakfast!

So for the third year running it was a fantastic weekend of football and the odd drink or two. Manager's Dave Pountney and Mark Connolly picked up the 'IFA Team of the Year' award which rounds off a great season and just goes to show what a good reputation the team have earnt.

More pictures from the weekend - HERE