Express & Star

York CIty 0 Kidderminster 3 - Report

Kidderminster Harriers preserved their unbeaten start to the league campaign to nine games with a 2-0 victory over York City at Bootham Crescent.

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Harriers continue to make progress up the Vanarama National League North table and this latest result lifted them from fourth place up to second, chasing runaway leaders Chorley.

Manager Neil MacFarlane chose to go with the same starting eleven that recorded a 3-1 win over Blyth Spartans last time out with Kennedy Digie retaining his defensive position ahead of Ryan Johnson who was on International duty with Northern Ireland and played his part in the Under-21 victory over Spain in midweek.

As expected it was a cagey opening from both sides with the game bursting into life on 12 minutes.

Harriers young midfielder, Ed Williams, enhanced his growing reputation with a rising 20 yard effort that flew into the top corner of the net after York had failed to clear a corner.

Harriers were quickly into their stride, Ashley Chambers and Joe Ironside soon testing the home defence with former Harriers stopper Adam Bartlett being called into early action.

Harriers had the better of the play and on the stroke of half time doubled their advantage, Williams again finding the net after a surging run before shooting low towards goal where the covering defender Joe Tait failed to clear to see Harriers go in at the break 2-0 up.

York introduced Jon Parkin from the bench after the interval and his 20 yard drive brought a save from Brandon Hall before Kallum Griffiths rattled the woodwork from distance on 51 minutes.

Fraser Horsfall saw his effort parried away by former Harriers keeper Bartlett, but the York stopper could do little to deny Joe Ironside a 56th minute goal as the Harriers striker received Declan Weeks’ through ball to hold off a challenge before firing into the bottom right corner of the net.

York substitute Wes York tried in vain to find a response but his long range effort was comfortably held by Hall and Griffiths fired wide as Harriers defended in numbers.

The visitors almost claimed a fourth goal as substitute Kane Richards saw his effort deflected wide and then fellow substitute Dan Bradley let one go from distance with Bartlett diving full length to tip it behind for a corner on 81 minutes.

York went for a consolation goal and thought they had it on 87 minutes but Simon Heslop’s stunning drive, seemingly destined for the top corner, brought an acrobatic stop from Brendan Hall.

Jon Parking had a 30 yard free kick saved by Hall as the home side looked for a goal but Harriers remained professional and ensured a clean sheet as they ran out 3-0 winners.

Teams:

York City: Bartlett, Griffiths, Ferguson, Bencherif, Tait, Moke (York 63), Law, Heslop, Wright (Parkin 46), Langstaff, McAughtrie (Newton 46). Subs Not Used: Burrow, Whitley.

Kidderminster Harriers: Hall, Vaughan, Taylor, O’Connor, Horsfall, Digie, Weeks, Daniels, Williams (Baxendale 81), Ironside (Richards 74), Chambers (Bradley 74). Subs Not Used Austin, Johnson.