Kidderminster Harriers Youth 0(0) v (2)2 Sutton Coldfield Town Youth

Harriers were dumped out of the Worcestershire County Youth Cup after a disappointing performance saw them slump to defeat at the hands of league leaders Sutton Coldfield.

The first of four meetings between the sides, they meet in the League Cup next and have two league games to play, started brightly with both sides having a good share of possession and there were plenty of chances at both ends in the opening quarter of an hour.  For the visitors the influential Craig Owen went close but his shot was straight at Steve Parker while at the other end the best chance of the early exchanges fell to Mitch Butler whose attempted lob was just caught by Sutton keeper Tony Breeden.

The visitors took the lead after 19 minutes, Shaun Walsh crossed from the left and an unmarked Ricardo Richards headed past Parker at the near post.  The second goal game ten minutes before the break, and in similar fashion, Walsh again got away on the left and his low cross found Chris Hughes in a lot of space and he had an easy finish from close range.

After the break Harriers were more determined and looked to get back into the game from the start.  Three minutes after the restart they should have reduced the deficit, a corner from the left found the head of Liam Teraud, his effort was blocked, the follow up shot hit the bar and fell to Scott Eaton who blasted it over the bar.  At the other end Owen hit a free kick through the defensive wall but straight at Parker, he didn't hold on to it but his defenders managed to scramble it away for a corner.

Harriers again hit the woodwork on the hour mark, Daniel Ludlow hitting Breeden's right-hand post with a shot from 25 yards.  There was a string of chances for Harriers - 21 in all - as they pressed for a way back into the game; Eaton set up a chance for Butler who slipped as he was about to shoot and his second attempt flew high and wide.  Eaton was the next culprit to waste a good chance, Ludlow crossed from the left and found him in space but he volleyed over the bar.  Sutton could have put the result beyond doubt late on following good work on the left wing by Matt Graham crafted an opening for Chris Maloney but he blazed his shot over the bar.  FRom then on the visitors were content to waste time holding the ball up by the corner flag.