Harriers began their Floodlit League campaign with a draw against Hinckley, dominating the game but not making
the most of the chances they created and allowing the visitors to escape with a point.
Two players were introduced for their debuts, Craig Timmins and Aaron Farrell, and it was Farrell who was to
prove to be one of the key players for Harriers throughout the match. The first clear goalscoring chance
of the game fell to the new-boy after nine minutes, he received a cross from Simon Fitter and after taking one
touch to control it lobbed it over James Flinders in the Hinckley goal but just too high and onto the roof of
the net. Seconds later he had another chance, again he received the ball from the right but in a crowded
penalty area he was able to tuck it under Flinders to open the scoring.
Once in front Harriers began to control the game and had most of the possession. Michael Xiourouppa
had the ball in the net after 26 minutes but it was ruled out because he handled the ball in the build up. In
the closing five minutes of the first half more chances came Harriers' way that they would regret missing
later on. First David Stanbra curled a shot wide of the far post from the left edge of the penalty area
and then Matt White rifled a 20-yard free-kick just over the crossbar.
Early in the second half Farrell was again involved, hitting a strong 25-yard drive that Flinders just managed
to parry. Shortly afterwards Hinckley made the most of yet another let-off and got themselves back
into the game. Joe Riley intercepted a poor pass in midfield and was allowed to run at the heart of the
Harriers defence before hitting a dipping shot over the stranded Daniel O'Gorman from 25 yards.
On the hour mark Hinckley almost took the lead, James Hatch saw his attempted chip deflected over O'Gorman
and cannon back of the crossbar. This was the last good opportunity for the visitors and Harriers began
to take control of the game again creating a string of chances that they could not capitalise on; Farrell, Carl
Dudley and James Dyke all saw their shots stopped by Hinckley's man-of-the-match Flinders. Seven minutes
from the end Flinders was beaten when Harriers won a corner on the right, substitute Jason Ramsey flicked the
ball over him at the near post but Tom Jacques was on hand to clear it off the line and save the visitors. |
