Kidderminster Harriers 2 Brackley 1 - Report and pictures
Dan Bradley notched his sixth goal in five matches to earn Kidderminster Harriers a precious 2-1 win over National League North promotion rivals Brackley Town at Aggborough.
Gareth Dean gave the Saints a late lead before Fraser Horsfall and in-form Bradley hit the target in the space of five minutes.
The win lifted Harriers into fourth place with the visitors staying in third spot.
Kidderminster made one change from the side which lost 3-2 at Boston United on Good Friday, Elton Ngwatala coming in for Manny Sonupe who was named among the substitutes.
Still on the casualty list are Josh Taylor, Jimmy O’Connor and Liam Truslove.
Aggborough manager John Eustace, whose side lost 2-0 at Brackley in August, was back on the touchline after serving a three-match FA stadium ban for his involvement in a misconduct incident during the closing stages of January’s goalless draw at Chorley.
Harriers made a promising start with visiting defender Luke Graham going close to heading into his own goal following a menacing cross from James McQuilkin.
Shortly afterwards ex-Kidderminster goalkeeper Danny Lewis was well positioned to pick up a low shot from Ngwatala.
The Saints steadily began to more of a threat when moving forward, although Harriers were desperately unlucky not to go ahead shortly before the half hour mark when a superbly struck 30 yard pile-driver from Bradley beat Lewis only to rebound off the top of a post.
The first half ended with an Ngwatala free kick from just outside the area hitting the visitors’ solid defensive ‘wall’ before being safely gathered by Lewis.
Harriers began the second half with a well hit 25 yard drive from Lee Vaughan which was tipped over the bar by Lewis for an un productive corner.
Minutes later the alert Lewis pulled off another fine save, this time to prevent Bradley from scoring with a wickedly deflected shot in front of goal.
Ngwatala then tried his luck with a long range shot which whizzed just wide during an encouraging period of Harriers pressure in which Declan Weeks had a free kick curl just off target.
Battling Brackley finally made the breakthrough when Dean headed home from close range in the 81st minute.
Harriers equalised a couple of minutes later with a tremendous 30 yard shot from defender Horsfall which ended up in the top corner of the net.
They made it 2-1 on 88 minutes when Bradley swept home a low cross from Vaughan.
Kidderminster: Hall; L. Vaughan, Horsfall, Pearson, Austin; McQuilkin, Croasdale, Weeks; Ngwatala (Sonupe, 65), Ironside (Waring, 70), Bradley. Subs not used. N. Vaughan, Brown, Digie.
Brackley: Lewis; Murombedzi, Graham (Iaciofano, 90), Dean, Lowe; G. Walker, Byrne, Nicholson (Myles, 61), A. Walker; Ndlovu, Williams (Armson, 61). Subs not used: Brown, Streete.
Referee: Martin Woods (Wigan).
Attendance: 1,935
