Kidderminster Harriers 1 Boston 1 - Report

The Pilgrims, who had a penalty saved, grabbed an equaliser shortly after half time through an unlucky own goal by Harriers’ debutant Fraser Horsfall.

Harriers welcomed back Joel Taylor, Dan Bradley and Joe Ironside who missed the 2-0 defeat at high-riding Brackley Town earlier in the week.

Newcomer Horsfall, on loan from Huddersfield Town, went straight into starting line-up at the heart of the defence.

Former West Bromwich Albion youth team striker Andre Wright, who has signed a one year deal at Aggborough, was on the substitutes’ bench along with Will Longbottom who has joined Kidderminster on a one-month youth loan from Doncaster Rovers.

Boston, managed by former Aggborough player Adam Murray, included ex-Harriers striker Tyrell Waite on the bench.

Kidderminster, who won 1-0 in the corresponding fixture last season thanks to a strike from Elton Ngwatala, went ahead on six minutes when Sonupe notched his fourth goal of the season.

He collected a long kick out from goalkeeper Brandon Hall before firing into an empty net from 20 yards out after visiting keeper George Willis had been caught well off his line.

Harriers continued to create openings with Ironside having a powerful shot blocked in front of goal before Sam Austin tried his luck with a long range effort which went just wide.

The Pilgrims were awarded a penalty on 25 minutes when a clumsy challenge by James McQuilkin brought down Ashley Hemmings. Captain Adam Chapman stepped up to take the kick which was well pushed away by diving Hall who then did well to save a follow-up shot from James Clifton.

Robust Boston equalised three minutes after the interval when an off-target shot from Kabongo Tshimanga was deflected into his own net by the luckless Horsfall.

A couple of minutes later Hall was called on the pull off a fine save to foil Tshimanga who shortly afterwards had another goalbound effort blocked

The visitors were more threatening during a foul littered second half, although they had to be on their guard at the back as Harriers tried to get back in front.

They were thwarted, however, on a couple of occasions by Willis who saved well from Bradley and Ngwatala as Kidderminster were held to their first draw of the season.

Kidderminster: Hall; Austin, Horsfall, Williams, Taylor (Longbottom, 82); McQuilkin, Croasdale, Ngwatala; Bradley, Ironside (Brown, 57), Sonupe (Wright, 77). Subs not used: Weeks, Webb.

Boston: Willis; Clifton, Keane, Cowgill, Yeomans (Hare, 61); Beaton, Rollins, Chapman, Hemmings (Vince, 57); Tshimanga, Broadhead. Subs not used: Waite, Hawley, McGuire.

Referee: Alex Kirkley (Manchester).

Attendance: 1,463 (59 away fans).