Another typical Harriers home perfromance saw two more points dropped in the race to get into the play-offs
after they were held at home by bottom club Swansea City to a 2-2 draw.
Swansea almost got off to a great start when Fraser Digby was called upon to save at close range from Brad Maylett. It
was Harriers, however, who got the flying start taking the lead after just six minutes, Danny Williams found
Sam Shilton on the left and the wing-back's cross deceived Neil Cutler in the Swansea goal and went in off
the far post. Shilton had another chance soon after but snatched at his shot when he had more time than
he realised and sliced his shot wide.
Swansea gave a performance that belied their lowly position and Brian Flynn's men fought well to keep in the
game. James Thomas wasted a good chance firing over the bar but the Welshmen drew level in the 21st
minute, Fraser Digby got down well to parry Roberto Martinez's shot but his defenders let him down failing
to react to the loose ball while Swansea had two men follow up, Lenny Johnrose firing the ball home.
The game ebbed and flowed from end to end and both teams created chances to score, Andy Bishop forced a save
from Cutler while at the other end the lively Maylett fired wide. Harriers regained the lead after 31
minutes, Shilton's right wing corner was helped on by Drewe Broughton, Swansea failed to clear and Adie Smith
hooked the ball in from close range.
The lead lasted only four minutes, Kevin Nugent was fouled on the edge of the Harriers penalty area and from
the resultant free-kick Roberto Martinez curled his shot over the defensive wall and in off Digby's right-hand
post. Shortly afterwards The Swans almost went ahead, Nugent was set free through the inside left channel
but his shot was well saved by Digby who turned it round the post for a corner.
After the interval the standard of the game degenerated, the pressure of each team's league positions seemed
to have an adverse effect on their relative performances, neither side wanting to risk too much with the points
being so vital. Play became ragged, with both teams relying quite heavily on long balls bypassing
midfield. Goalscoring chances were few, openings were created but the final ball into the danger area
was lacking, the home team in particular guilty for wasting chances. Adie Smith had Harriers' only on-target
effort of the half but Cutler saved easily. The best chance of the second half fell to the home team
two minutes from the end, Danny Williams hit a 20 yard free kick from the inside right position narrowly wide
of the far post.
|
