Kidderminster Harriers 0 Southport 1 - Report

It was Harriers’ first outing since Russ Penn took over as caretaker boss following John Pemberton’s sudden exit from the Aggborough ‘hot-seat’.

The defeat leaves the troubled hosts without a win in their last five matches.

Kidderminster, playing in their first Saturday fixture at Aggborough since a goalless FA Cup draw with Stafford Rangers on September 21, made a couple of changes from the side knocked out of the FA Trophy at Curzon Ashton seven days earlier.

Goalkeeper Tom Palmer was relegated to the substitutes’ bench and replaced by new 21 year old loan signing Will Mannion from Hull City while defender Ryan Johnson was restored to the starting line-up at the expense of striker Richard Peniket.

Harriers, playing in the first of three home league matches in the space of eight days, soon gave away a dangerous free kick in front of goal, but Bradley Bauress’ powerful shot was deflected away to safety by the Aggborough defensive ‘wall’.

The visitors were under pressure shortly afterwards when Declan Weeks, a former Southport campaigner, set up a chance for Ashley Chambers who knocked the ball just wide after trying to lift it over goalkeeper Charlie Albinson,

Ashley Hemmings then tried his luck with a long range shot, but his hopeful effort went well wide.

Southport’s Marcus Wood had similar ideas and unleashed a strong drive from 20 yards, but he was also off target with the ball flying high over the bar.

On the half hour mark Weeks fired in a shot which was well saved low down by the alert Albinson.

Southport forced the first corner of the match on 32 minutes, but Devarn Green’s high kick was firmly punched away by Mannion.

Soon after Kidderminster gained their first corner when Albinson pushed away a drive from Chambers. Weeks’ flag kick, however, came to nothing.

Albinson was then called on to expertly palm away a close range header from Chambers in the closing stages of a disappointing first half.

Southport made a good start to the second period and within a minute Russell Benjamin was denied a goal when his fierce half volley was brilliantly pushed away by Mannion for an unproductive corner.

Harriers responded with an excellent run by Hemmings which ended with him having a low shot well saved by Albinson.

The visitors finally sealed the points on 72 minutes when Green diverted home a cross from Jack Sampson.

Kidderminster: Mannion; Austin, R. Williams, Johnson, Davidson; Moyo, Butterfield (Diau, 76) Weeks, E. Williams; Hemmings, Chambers (Peniket, 63). Subs not used: Palmer, Prosser, Shenton.

Southport: Albinson; Mohammed, Winnard, Astles, Doyle; Green (Woods, 90), Benjamin, Wood (Correia, 58), Bauress (Oliver, 90), Morgan; Sampson. Subs not used: Hanford, Glynn.

Referee: Scott Simpson (Stoke).

Attendance: 1,206 (70 away fans).