Hinckley United 0(0) v (1)2 Kidderminster Harriers

Harriers completed their pre-season programme with a win, a goal in each half enough to see off the challenge of Conference North side Hinckley United at their new Marston's Stadium home.

Stuart Watkiss fielded a team likely to be close to the one that will take the field against Woking in the Conference opener next Saturday.  Despite being at almost full strength Harriers were put on the back foot by their hosts in the early stages, United coping better with the blustery conditions.  Former Harrier Sam Shilton should have put the home team ahead after just nine minutes when he was left unmarked in acres of space in the Harriers penalty area but headed Stuart Storer's high and wide.

A mistake by Terry Fleming gave possession away to Lee Colkin who was allowed to run unchallenged through the heart of the Harriers midfield but blazed his shot over the bar from 25 yards out.  Harriers began to settle and had the ball in the net after 21 minutes, Michael Blackwood got on the end of Wayne Hatswell's knock down but was offside.  Veteran keeper Ryan Price came to the rescue of the home team soon afterwards, holding a viciously struck free kick from Gareth Sheldon on the left wing.

As the half wore on Harriers came closer to opening the scoring; Hatswell's cross from the left was only half cleared and fell to Lee Thompson 25 yards out, his shot was straight at Price who was able to hold on to it.  Ten minutes before the break Thompson got free on the left and crossed low into the penalty area where an unmarked Iyseden Christie had an easy tap in to put Harriers ahead much to the displeasure of the home side who complained that Harriers players had been offside.  United had a chance to draw level almost straight away, Andy Brown shooting straight at John Danby from close range and Mark Jackson was on hand to clear the loose ball off the line.  Christie had another chance to increase the lead in the last minute of the half after chesting down Sheldon's cross before shooting wide.

Harriers had the best of the game in the second half; Christie was a constant threat to the home defence and fashioned a great chance early in the period.  The big striker got to the byline on the right and pulled the ball back across the face of goal just out of the reach of Blackwood.  A great pass from Wayne Evans set Thompson free, he held off his marker and got to the byline but fired into the side netting.

After Harriers had made a number of substitutions they doubled their advantage with just over a quarter of an hour remaining.  Good work by Christie created an opening for himself but his shot was parried by Price, the ball came back to him and as he shaped to shoot again he was brought down by Richard Lavery and referee Caswell had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.  Thompson took the kick and tucked it confidently into the corner of the net despite Price diving in the correct direction.

Hinckley had few chances in the second half, the Harriers defence stood firm and contained them well, their best opportunity again fell to Shilton but he shot wide.  At the other end a long range shot from Martin O'Connor and a weak header from Steve Burton could have added to Harriers' advantage but they had to be content with what they had, recording their sixth win of the summer and the third clean sheet in a row.