Stourport Swifts 1(0) v (2)2 Kidderminster Harriers

Harriers completed their pre-season programme with another win, beating local rivals Stourport 2-1 at Walshes Meadow.

Fielding a strong side Harriers controlled the game from the start; Jamie Gleeson in particular catching the eye in midfield. It was Gleeson who created the opening goal, his pass picking out Simon Russell who tucked the ball under former Harriers youth team keeper Craig Ladek.  Ladek was at fault for the second Harriers goal when he picked up a backpass. From the resultant free kick Ian Foster forced the ball home.  In between, Jesper Christiansen had stung Ladek's hands with a 20-yard shot and then just failed to connect with Rickards' right wing cross to end one of the best passing moves of the game.

After the break Harriers introduced some youth team players for a taste of first team football; in addition to defender Danny Hodnett who had started the game were defender Leigh Clayton and midfielders Lee Williams and Tom Byrne, the latter in particular was a very lively presence in the game.  Rickards should have put Harriers further ahead when Ladek's attempted clearance went straight to him but he shot tamely wide with the goal at his mercy.

Harriers eased off the pressure in the later stages of the game and Swifts pulled a goal back through Andy Checketts but they never looked like threatening a proper comeback.  Byrne had two good chances to score but on both occasions Ladek pulled off great saves to deny him.  In the dying moments Simon Brown somehow contrived to miss from six yards from Steve Burton's low cross and then skimmed the post with a shot from outside the penalty area.  Harriers now look forward to the proper football and a trip to Rushden to open their League Two campaign on Saturday.