Harriers ended their pre-season programme with a derby defeat at Conference side Hereford but will be glad
that they have got such a poor performance out of their system before the real action starts next weekend.
It was Harriers who started the game the better, controlling possession like a higher-level team should and
after 12 minutes almost opened the scoring. Dean Benett, looking lively at wing-back in the opening
stages, got to the byline on the right and pulled the ball back to Graham Ward, the Hereford defence disappeared
as he chipped to the far post where Sean Flynn headed back across goal and Matt Baker between the United
posts had to react quickly when Bo Henriksen pounced and fired straight at him. At the other end two
minutes later Stuart Brock had to dive at full stretch to keep out a 25-yard free kick from Danny Williams.
As the half-hour mark approached Hereford carved through the Harriers defence again and Rob Purdie, looking
offside, fired straight at Brock who kept it out with his legs and Adie Smith had to clear the loose ball. The
opening goal only took another four minutes to arrive, Williams beat Flynn to the ball on the right and pulled
it back for Purdie who saw his shot blocked by Adam Willis. The loose ball spun away to Paul Parry on
the left who chipped back across goal for Williams to head in at the far post.
After a half-time roasting Harriers re-emerged with more purpose and drew level after just six minutes. A
searching pass out of defence from Danny Williams set Ward free on the right, with John Williams unmarked
at the far post he chose instead to pull it back to the edge of the penalty area where Sam Shilton drilled
a low shot in off the post.
The non-league side still fought well and looked the more dangerous side. Three minutes after the equaliser
they almost regained the lead when a Michael Rose free kick on the left found Steve Guinan at the near post
who headed just wide. Poor defending cost Harriers gifted the winning goal to Hereford after 68 minutes,
Craig Hinton cleared the ball straight at a United player and it rebounded into the path of Guinan who had
a clear run at goal and he drilled the ball past Brock.
Ten minutes from time Rose almost increased the lead with a free kick from the right corner of the penalty
area that Brock just managed to push away. Harriers had one lasst chance to save themselves shortly
afterwards, Nick Heath played the ball in from the right to Henriksen who turned well inside the box but he
hit his shot into the side netting.
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