Kidderminster Harriers Youth 3(1) v (1)1 Boldmere St Michaels Youth

Harriers kept alive their slim hopes of winning the league with a hard-fought victory over bottom club Boldmere at Aggborough.

The home team had the best of a dour encounter which had little excitement in the opening period.  It started promisingly for Harriers with a surging run from Tom Byrne that took him clear of the boldmere defence but his shot was well saved by keeper Neil Ward at the expense of a corner.  Another corner shortly afterwards gave Harriers their opening goal; Daniel Ludlow's flag kick from the right went straight in at the near post with the help of a flap by Ward.

Boldmere could have drawn level just after the half-hour mark, Brendan Poole broke clear of the Harriers defence but he drove his sot well wide of Steve Parker's left-hand post.  Controversy reigned soon afterwards as the visitors equalised.  A clumsy challenge on Rory Barber by Liam Teraud had referee Tyler pointing straight to the penalty spot, and then he rubbed salt into the wounds by showing Teraud the red card.   Stuart McNaught took the penalty and tucked it just inside the post despite Parker's best efforts to reach it.

Harriers regained the lead early in the second half completely out of the blue; Stephen Thompson received the ball on the right wing and chipped it over Ward from the touchline.  The same player should have added another soon after but he headed over the bar from Lee Williams' left wing cross.  Harriers were beginning to impose themselves on the game by now and Ryan Malcolm went close with a 25-yard effort after good approach play by Byrne and Ludlow.

Williams was having a good second half and he set up a great opportunity for Mitch Butler but the substitute headed Williams' free kick across the face of goal.  Williams' industry was finally rewarded three minutes from the end when his 25-yard shot flew into the top corner of the net to make it 3-1.  Scott Eaton almost added a fourth in stoppage time but Ward got down well to his left to hold the shot.