Kidderminster Harriers Reserves 2(2) v (1)2 Bromsgrove Rovers Reserves

For the second game in a row Harriers threw away victory by conceding an equaliser in stoppage time, this time after having led by two goals.

Injury problems in the senior squad meant that Harriers fielded a young side, only Daniel Lewis from the first team squad was involved with the rest of the team made up from youth team players.  Despite the youthfulness of the side Harriers were the better team in the early stages and took the lead after 17 minutes after forcing a series of corners the third one, taken by Daniel Ludlow, was headed in at the near post by Stephen Thompson.

Thompson could have doubled the advantage moments later when Richard Evans' pass set him clear on goal, Ian Gandy rushed out to meet him leaving the goal unguarded but Thompson's lob drifted just wide of the far post.  The second goal was not long in coming, however, as Tom Byrne's pass split the Rovers defence open and Thompson slotted the ball under Gandy.  Rovers got themselves back into the game after 33 minutes, Shaun Maynard picked out Michael Hollis on the right, and his low driven cross deflected into the path of former Harrier Michael McGrath who was left with an easy tap in at the far post.  In stoppage time Thompson had another chance but his 35-yard shot rattled the crossbar.

Early in the second half Rovers could have drawn level, Stuart How's low cross from the left found Maynard but his close range shot was excellently pushed over the bar by Lewis.  Bromsgrove had their best spell of the match in the first part of the second half and could have equalised on the hour when a good passing move split the Harriers defence open and left Hollis with a clear sight of goal but he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Harriers' best chances all fell to the lively Thompson and he went close to restoring the two-goal advantage midway through the half.  Receiving the ball with his back to goal he turned well, shrugged off his marker and beat Gandy with a chipped shot that cannoned back off the crossbar.  Substitute Scott Eaton also went close late on with a 25-yard effort that flew over the bar.  Harriers tried to waste time by keeping the ball down by the corner flag as the game drew to a close but Rovers managed to get it clear and counterattacked quickly, a deep cross from the left was met by an unmarked How who steered it past Lewis to snatch an unlikely point for the visitors.