Soaring temperatures and a dogged opponent meant that Harriers were made to work hard for their victory over
lowly Stratford at Masons Road.
Again, as in the previous match, Harriers used a different line up in each half with trialists again prominent
throughout. Youngster Nick Heath was a lively weapon on the Harriers right and after just four minutes
he created a chance for Craig Wilding but the striker mis-hit his half volley and Stratford keeper Wayne
Starkey was able to field it without trouble.
Harriers did continue to create chances bit didn't cause too much concern for Starkey, Heath and Wilding had
efforts blocked and Dean Bennett saw his saved. After 26 minutes Heath was lost to injury after a rash
challenge on Ryan Gallagher and two minutes later the home team almost took the lead when Andy Gallinagh blazed
a shot over the bar from the edge of the penalty area.
Substitute John Williams wasted the best chance of the first half, the ball was played over the Stratford
defence leaving him with a clear run at goal but with Starkey rushing out to meet him he snatched at his shot
and pulled it wide of the far post when he had time to do better.
Starkey was crucial to Stratford's hopes and thwarted Harriers whenver he was called upon, early in the
second half he made a fantastic reflex save to deny Sam Shilton and push his close range effort over the
bar for a corner. Midway through the half John Williams had another good chance to open the scoring, Shilton
crossed dangerously from the left and found an unmarked Williams beyond the far post but he directed his
header into the side netting.
Williams was doing his best to take on Stratford on his own with fourteen minutes remaining he went close
again, this time from a Graham Ward corner, he rose well at the near post and Starkey just managed to stop
the ball on the goal line. Eventually the pressure told and with seven minutes remaining Mark Danks
jinked his way to the byline on the left and pulled the ball back into the goalmouth where Ward was on hand
to force it in from close range.
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