Evesham United Youth 1(1) v (2)2 Kidderminster Harriers Youth

Harriers overcame an early setback to brush aside the challenge of Southern Division Evesham United to reach the final of the Worcestershire Youth Cup.

The visitors should have taken a third minute lead when United failed to clear a corner; Nathan Walker's mis-hit shot fell to Mitch Butler who set up Ashley Walker who saw his shot cleared off the line.  Evesham hit back, however, and took the lead just a couple of minutes later when Tom Harper's poor clearance fell to Dean Kerr who lofted a shot back over him into the far corner from 25 yards or more.

The game became scrappy, with the playing surface not conducive to good football both teams resorted to playing long balls but the Harriers defence coped better and prevented the home team from getting anywhere near their goal.  Harriers began to take control of the game and Tom Byrne went close to leveling the scores with a 25-yard free-kick that curled wide of the near post.  The equaliser came just after half an hour, Nathan Walker's crossfield pass found Byrne on the right who cut inside and hit a wicked shot from 25 yards into the roof of the net.

Scott Eaton could have put Harriers ahead, heading wide of the near post from Shawn Salmon's right-wing cross and then byrne went close with another free kick before the second goal arrived just before the break.  A long clearance from Harper reached the hard-working Salmon who slipped it out wide to Byrne on the right and his low cross was swept in by Nathan Walker.

After the break Harriers continued to dominate the game but were unable to break their hosts down.  Just before the hour mark it was Eaton's turn to go close with a long-range free-kick that seemed destined for the back of the net until it was acrobatically tipped over the bar for a corner.

As the game drew to a close Evesham became more frantic in their efforts to grab an equaliser, throwing many bodies forward.  Mitch Butler had a great chance to put the result beyond doubt, flicking the ball on to Eaton who made a great run to the byline he continued his run into the penalty area to get on the end of Eaton's low cross but with the goal at his mercy he blasted his shot high and wide.  He then had one last chance when Byrne's pass beat the offside trap to set him clear on goal but his shot was kept out by the 'keeper's legs.  Harriers did manage to to kill the remaining time with Salmon, in particular, doing well to keep the ball near the corner flag.