Redditch United 1(1) v (3)4 Kidderminster Harriers

Despite scorching sunshine Harriers cruised to a comfortable victory at Valley Stadium, coming from behind to beat Conference North side Redditch 4-1.

Harriers, fielding an almost full-strength side with possibly eight of the starting line-up for next weekend's Legue Two opener at Rushden on show, fell behind after less than three minutes.  Former Harriers captain Sean Flynn arrowed a cross from deep on the right wing to the far post where another former Harrier Paul Moore knocked it back across goal for Simon Hollis to force in from close range.  The lead only lasted a couple of minutes, however, a Steve Burton corner from the right found Wayne Hatswell powering forward at the far post to head in the equaliser.

The heat was proving difficult and prevented the players from performing at their peak and in this respect Harriers' superior fitness allowed them to control the game.  Scott Rickards put Harriers ahead midway through the half, Lee Jenkins played the ball through on the right into the penalty area and Rickards tucked a low shot to the right of Richard Antiss and into the bottom corner of the net.  Simon Russell could have increased the advantage but Burton's low left wing cross was too far ahead of him and stretching he could only direct it weakly at Antiss.  The lead was increased before the break, however, when Jesper Christiansen slipped the ball into the box for Rickards who lobbed it over Antiss.  In the closing moments of the half United could have reduced the arrears when Mark Taylor crossed from the left for Scott Voice but he headed into the side netting at the far post.

It was Harriers who began the second half at a gallop increasing their lead further when a goal-kick was flicked on into the path of Simon Brown who raced clear on goal and waited for Antiss to comit himself before planting the ball past him.  Brown and Russell proceeded to run the United defence ragged for the thirty minutes, Russell went close with a lob that dropped only just over the bar and then after Brown had put him in possession in the penalty area and he sold his marker a dummy that left the United man on his backside he shot inches wide of the post.  Russell then slipped the ball in to Brown in the inside right channel but he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

After Harriers had made substitutions it fell to Jamie Gleeson, on for Russell, to miss the opportunity of increasing the lead; he picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, jinked round a defender and Antiss but at the last moment the keeper managed to get his hand on the ball to deny the youngster.  In the final ten minutes Christiansen was withdrawn to allow Assistant Manager Gary Barnett a run out at centre forward, he had a chance to score late on but curled his shot high and wide.