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

A disappointing Harriers performance saw them slump to their first defeat of the pre-season campaign.

Mark Yates tried out two more players at full back, bringing in Ijah Anderson at left back and Michael Briscoe on the right; there was no sign, however, of Bob Taylor.  Returning from injury were Andy White and Gavin Hurren.

Harriers' defence seemed to still be introducing themselves to each other when Andy Hodgetts was allowed to run through the middle of them as they stood and watched before firing past Steve Taylor to give the Swifts a third minute lead.  Stourport could have gone further ahead on 20 minutes when Adam Robinson's free kick from deep on the left found Kevin Brookes at the far post but he headed straight at Taylor.

Harriers had some possession but could not break down the home defence; the best chance of the half came after White's dummy set up Dean Sturridge but his shot on the turn went narrowly wide of the far post.  Michael McGrath also went close with a tame shot from distance as Harriers ended the half on top.

It appeared that perhaps Harriers had approached the game too casually, thinking that a win was a foregone conclusion, and never really exerted themselves on their hosts.  It was the Swifts who went further ahead ten minutes after the break, Lee Knight stabbing the ball in from close range after Harriers failed to clear a corner.

On the hour Harriers made a raft of substitutions and could have got themselves back into the game soon after; a deep cross from the left found White who headed over the bar.  Shortly afterwards Michael Blackwood knocked the ball down for Scott Eaton who blasted it over the bar.  It was not until five minutes from the end that Harriers finally tested Karl Lewis in the home goal, Martyn Naylor's cross from the right was kept in at the far post by Russ Penn who knocked it back to Brian Smikle but Lewis reacted quickly to keep his header out.