A young Harriers side featuring a number of trailists fell to defeat against Midland Alliance side Stratford Town.

Steve Burr introduced Tom James, who was with Stratford last season; Osei Abdaki, previously with Buxton; Ryan Robbins who played in the FA Vase Final at Wembley for Coalville; Dior Angus, son of former Nuneaton Borough player Terry Angus, who had already played against Stratford in a friendly for Leamington earlier in the week.  Studley midfielder Joe Adams was on the bench along with James McPike who was getting another chance at a trial after damaging knee ligaments in a friendly last summer.

Abdaki looked lively in the opening half for Harriers but it was Jamille Matt who went closest to opening the scoring with Harriers' best chance in the first half.  He took the ball round home keeper Tom Cross only to see his effort cleared off the line; Angus followed up on the loose ball but his shot was also blocked.

Robert Thompson-Brown opened the scoring for Harriers four minutes after the break, converting from the penalty spot after McPike had been fouled.  The lead lasted just two minutes, however, as Stratford were awarded a penalty themselves after James was somewhat harshly adjudged to have handled.  Mykel Beckley took the spot kick, sending Dean Lyness the wrong way.

The same player then put the home team ahead after 69 minutes, firing a shot into the bottom corner of the net. Stratford were good value for their win and looked the most likely to add to the score, only denied by Tom Sharpe's goalline clearance four minutes from the end.