Hereford 2 Kidderminster Harriers 1 - Report

This local derby had more than a competitive edge to it following Harriers 3-1 Boxing Day victory at Aggborough, both sides suffered defeats in their last game of 2019, Harriers unluckily going down at Brackley Town whilst the Bulls suffered a home defeat to Leamington.

Both teams made changes Brendan Powell replaced Brendan Hall through illness in goal for his first team debut, Jared Hodgkiss, Alex Bray and Ben Pollock all came in for Hereford, whilst Richard Peniket replaced Ethan Fremantle for visiting Harriers.

The first half was an entertaining affair, Harriers started brightly with Richard Peniket sending a Correy Davidson cross wide of the target as the visitors pressed for an early advantage.

The home side responded, Alex Bray’s free-kick was punched clear by an alert Will Mannion, but generally the home side struggled to provide a telling centre for Victor Sodeinde who posed problems seeing his 23 rd minute strike blocked.

Harriers increased their work rate and on the half hour mark should have taken the lead Ryan Johnson’s centre glanced wide by Peniket as the home defence struggled to contain the front man.

Jared Hodgkiss and Stephen Dawson then combined to keep out Cliff Moyo’s goalbound header with a goalline clearance as Harriers posed problems from set pieces.

The deadlock was broken five minutes after the break, Ryan Johnson’s challenge on Jordan Cullinan- Liburd resulted in a penalty for the home side and the impressive Victor Sodeinde made no mistake from twelve yards.

Harriers substitute Ed Williams linked well with Ashley Hemmings only to see his effort flash narrowly past the left hand upright.

Sodeinde forced a block from visiting keeper Mannion and a minute later Hereford had extended their lead.

Harriers were guilty of losing possession as Stephen Dawson raced forward, his left wing cross was speared towards the Harriers near post where visitors defender Cliff Moyo applied a glancing touch with the goal to seal the points for the home side on 81 minutes.

Harriers gave themselves a lifeline when Ashley Hemmings curled a freekick over Brandon Powell on 90 minutes to reduce the defecit.

It set up a grandstand finale as Harriers pushed forward but Hereford held firm to win for the first time since the 1 st October.

Hereford: Powell, Hodgkiss, Greenslade, Cullinan-Liburd, Pollock, Dawson, Mooney (Vincenti 89), Thomas, Sodeinde, Pope, Bray (Allen 77). Subs Not Used: Styche, O’Sullivan, Whitlock

Kidderminster Harriers: Mannion , Austin, Davidson, Williams R, Moyo, Johnson, Butterfield, Shenton (Williams E 60), Prosser, Hemmings, Peniket (Fremantle 70). Subs Not Used: Palmer, Scott, Higginson.