Arnold Town Youth 4(2) v (0)0 Kidderminster Harriers Youth

Harriers' FA Youth Cup campaign ended for another season, falling at the Second Qualifying round after being well beaten by Nottinghamshire side Arnold Town.

The home team, who had won their previous four games, started the game as though they were keen to stretch that run and were soon on top and making the most of the wind at their backs.  Arnold took the lead after 18 minutes, a high cross from the left found Ben Hutchinson unmarked on the edge of the penalty area who headed over Thomas Harper in the Harriers goal.

Harriers had a quick chance to get back on level terms with a free kick 20 yards out on the left that Daniel Ludlow curled round the outside of the wall but straight into Carl Najuk's arms.  Shortly afterwards Harriers were in deeper trouble as the home team doubled their advantage with another goal that was sloppy from a Harriers point of view, Luke Musson left in acres of space to sweep the ball past Harper.

When Harriers did create chances they were unable to convert them; the best move saw Shawn Salmon get to the byline on the right and cross to far post but Ludlow's wayward shot was headed over by Mitch Butler; also heading over was Scott Eaton who had time to do better.  In the closing minutes of the half Arnold could have gone further ahead when Joe Parker broke through the heart of the Harriers defence but then shot over the bar.

Harriers were better after the break with the weather in their favour, although by now the rain was falling to spoil the game further, and created a string of chances that could have got them back into the game.  Butler managed to hit the post and then hit his follow-up shot wide.  Shortly afterwards Butler, again, raced on to a ball over the top but blazed his shot over the bar and then Ludlow hit a 30-yard effort straight at the keeper.  Another chance fell to Butler, after Jermaine Bowen had got to the byline on the right his cross was half cleared to Butler who shot over the bar again.

At the other end Arnold were still creating chances themselves; Seb Darling lobbed wide of the target with the goal at his mercy and then he turned creator setting up a chance for Chris Hall who saw his shot blocked.  After a Ludlow free kick had set up Tom Byrne who fired across the face of goal as Harriers searched desperately for a way back into the game gaps began opening up at the back that Arnold were able to exploit.  Tom Watson broke through the inside left channel, went round Harper but then fired wide.  With just a couple of minutes left Watson found the target with a 20-yard lob to seal the result for the home team and then to further rub salt into the wounds Darling jinked his way into the penalty area and although tackled by Rob Barrett the loose ball ran to Chris Muldoon who chipped in a fourth goal.  Deep in stoppage time Harriers had one last chance, Butler again going close with a lob from outside the penalty area that hit the crossbar.