Bo Henriksen hit a fine double as Harriers got their season off to a flying start. For the second season
in a row a penalty was crucial in the opening game only this time it was converted to give Harriers a hard won
three points.
Despite the soaring temperatures and blazing sunshine the game started at a hundred miles an hour and Mansfield,
backed by a huge following, were the first to threaten. Former Harriers striker Colin Larkin found
himself in a one-on-one situation with Stuart Brock but hit his shot weakly and the keeper was able to save
with his legs. Within a couple of minutes the play switched to the other end and Harriers took the lead
with a stunning strike from last season's 20-goal top scorer Bo Henriksen. Kenny Coleman picked him out
with a long crossfield pass, the Dane's first touch was not the best but his second - a venomous dipping strike -
left Pilkington grasping at thin air as the ball flew past him into the far corner.
The goal sparked a period of Harriers domination but for all of their possession they didn't threaten to
build on their lead, only a Dean Bennett shot from distance went anywhere near the goal, and gradually the
visitors began to get back into the game. After 25 minutes Danny Williams lost the ball in midfield to
Lee Williamson who picked out Wayne Corden on the left wing, his ball inside found Larkin but again Brock
was alert enough to save his shot. Shortly before the break Iyseden Christie cut inside from the left
beating Craig Hinton and his shot deflected off Tom Curtis but again Brock saved pushing the ball away for
a corner. Man-of-the-match Brock was called on again before the interval, Liam Lawrence hit a free-kick
that beat the wall and Brock saw late but he managed to turn the ball around the post for another corner.
The equaliser seemed inevitable but it did not arrive until 20 minutes into the second half. Another
free-kick, this time from Corden who arced it over the wall from 25 yards out and beyond the reach of Brock. Harriers
didn't let the setback affect them and hit back within minutes, a great run out of defence by Bennett put the
visitors on the defensive but when he played the ball inside to Sean Flynn the captain blazed his shot over
the bar. After 73 minutes Harriers regained the lead, with Pilkington out of position the ball fell to
Coleman who it it back goalwards only for it to be stopped by the hand of Curtis and referee Steve Tanner had
no hesitation in pointing to the spot and awarding a penalty. After the names of Curtis and Pilkington
were taken, Henriksen stepped forward and slotted the ball past Pilkington even though the keeper guessed
correctly and dived to his left just short of the ball.
The game was still finely balanced as it progressed into the closing stages and Mansfield pressed hard for
an equaliser. A deep free-kick from the right found Craig Disley who headed straight at Brock, from a
right wing corner, Brock missed the ball and debutant Adam Willis had to hack it clear off the line. Harriers
weren't finished themselves, however, and nearly wrapped up the game eight minutes from time, a long ball
over the defence was perfect for John Williams to run on to but just as he was shaping up to volley it past
Pilkington David Artell managed to hook it away from him. Harriers were able to see out the remaining
time and take the points for a perfect start to the season.
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