Halesowen Town 0(0) v (0)0 Kidderminster Harriers

Despite dominating possession and creating a string of good chances Harriers again failed to score, although the performance was much improved from the disappointing defeat at Stourport.

With the pre-season programme drawing to a close Mark Yates used only those players who are contracted to the club, having released the trialists that he did not want to keep; although the first-choice starting eleven is still unclear.  From the kick-off Harriers could have taken the lead, Jamie McClen's chip from halfway was only a fraction too high.

Halesowen almost gave Harriers a scare after just seven minutes, Sean Dowdall latched onto a pass through the heart of the visiting defence but Scott Bevan got down well to push his low shot away for a corner.  Harriers were knocking the ball around well and creating some good openings; Simon Russell could have headed them in front but ducked out of the way of the ball when any contact would surely have put it in the net.  A good move midway through the half saw Russ Penn and McClen combine to set up Michael Blackwood in the inside-left position but his shot from the edge of the penalty area found the side netting.

Blackwood was involved again soon after, dribbling through the home defence before rolling the ball into the path of Scott Eaton who had beaten the offside trap but he snatched at his shot and it went wide of the far post.  A Jonny Harkness corner from the left found an unmarked Stuart Whitehead but he headed the ball against his own shoulder and it flew over the bar as Harriers continued to waste chances.

After the break Harriers continued to create chances; Luke Reynolds received the ball on the right and cut inside but his 20-yard shot skimmed the top of the crossbar.  After a number of substitutions Harriers wasted more chances and the chief culprit was Dean Sturridge who has till to break his duck in a Harriers shirt; racing on to a through ball he took it around substitute keeper Mark Gayle and then managed to find the side netting with an open goal at his mercy.

Whitehead almost cost Harriers the game when he made a short backpass to Bevan without looking and the ball went straight to former Harriers striker Matt Lewis but he dithered too long and the Harriers defence were able to get back to cover, Lewis eventually passing to Grant Beckett who shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.  The last chance of the game came to Sturridge; Andy White did well on the right getting to the byline and rolling the ball across the goalmouth, somehow Sturridge managed to find the crossbar from three yards out.