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A young Harriers side eased themselves to a comfortable victory but over Southern League Western Division side Rushall but had to survive an early scare from their hosts.
With all of the fringe players in the squad starting and only a handful of first choice players in the line up Harriers were torn apart after just seven minutes when the defence opened up and left Leon Allen in acres of space to lash a shot past Danny Lewis giving him no chance of saving. After the early setback, however, Harriers began to settle and take control of the game despite a stiff breeze and a horrendously sloping pitch that made life awkward. They could have drawn level when Laurie Wilson's free kick picked out an unmarked Iyseden Christie but he headed over the bar and then shortly afterwards Simon Russell hit a first-time lob from distance that dropped just over.
The equaliser was scrappy, Gareth Sheldon pouncing in a crowded penalty area to prod the ball in via the body of Olympic keeper Ryan Price. Shortly afterwards Harriers took the lead; good work by Christie on the byline created a chance for Lee Thompson, his shot was blocked but fell invitingly for Sheldon who fired in the loose ball. In the dying moments of the half Wilson went close to increasing the lead with a well-struck shot that fizzed over the bar.
Rushall had their best spell of the game in the ten minutes after the interval but their best chance, a free header, was well saved by Danny Lewis. Harriers soon got back on top and Russell began to create chances; a cross that Sheldon couldn't turn in fell to Hollis but his attempt was blocked and then another low cross was turned into his own net by Rob Vassell. Russell, once again, created a chance for Ryan Malcolm with a jinking run into the penalty area but the youngster's shot was blocked. In the closing minutes Harriers could have scored more: Luke Astley picked out Stephen Thompson with a good deep cross but Thompson's header was held by Price and then another Russell cross found Daniel Ludlow who saw his shot held by the keeper.
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