Gloucester City 2(2) v (0)1 Kidderminster Harriers

Jan Molby gave his triallists another run out this afternoon, and despite having the best of the possession they were again on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat.

Abdou Sall came in for Jesper Christiansen and Danny Lewis was given his first game in goal as the only changes from the side that lost at Cinderford in midweek.  In warm sunshine the young Harriers didn't look as impressive as they had previously, although in the first half they had most of the possession.  Sloppy defending led to both of the City goals, first Lewis miscued his clearance straight at Lee Davis who rolled the ball into the empty net and shortly afterwards he was at fault again when he flapped at a right wing corner, succeeding only in direct the ball to Dan Avery who hooked it in from close range.

Before this Youssou Diop had scraped the outside of the Gloucester post with a shot from outside the penalty area and he looked the most likely Harriers attacker throughout the remainder of a disappointing half.

At the interval Harriers made a number of substitutions and brought on some of the more experienced players in the squad.  This had an immediately beneficial effect and they took control of the game.  A rasping 30 yard drive from Diop brought Harriers their first goal and they continued to create chances.

Ruaidhri Higgins put in a great cross from the right that picked out Wayne Hatswell at the far post but after he directed his header back across the face of goal nobody was able to get a touch to turn it in.  The skipper had also made a crucial last ditch tackle to deny City substitute Serge Rirregah after he caught Jamie Gleeson in possession on the edge of the Harriers penalty area.  Harriers had one last chance to equalise when Ian Foster's cross from the left was deflected goalwards by Chris Jones but Matt Bath did well to tip it over the bar.