Blyth Spartans 1 Kidderminster Harriers 2 - Report
Kidderminster Harriers maintained their push for a play-off spot with a hard earned victory in the North East at Blyth Spartans as second half goals from Ryan Croasdale and Mani Sonupe saw them to a 2-1 win.
Spartans were looking to secure a third successive home win following heavy away defeats at Salford and Harrogate to bolster their own ambitions of extending the regular season.
Harriers were enforced into a change with Lee Vaughan starting a three game suspension, James O’Connor returning after a lengthy spell on the sidelines to the centre of defence with James Pearson moving to fill the void left by Vaughan. Injury to in form Dan Bradley gave Andre Brown a start.
Both teams have received rave reviews for their contrasting styles and entertaining football, the reverse fixture at Aggborough saw Harriers win 5-4 in September as Spartans came into the game having won as many games as they had lost with a solitary draw, so for the neutral this game had all the makings of a fine encounter.
Heavy persistent rain posed issues for both teams with minimal chances in the first period, Elton Ngwatala seeing an early goalbound strike diverted wide by David Atkinson, whilst Nathan Buddle could not keep his header down from Dale Hopson’s cross for the home side.
Harriers introduced Sonupe for the struggling James McQuilkin and he made an immediate impact providing a right wing cross that Jimmy O’Connor flicked on forcing a save out of Peter Jameson.
Harriers picked up better in the second period and on 63 minutes broke the deadlock as Ryan Croasdale raced onto Joe Ironside’s lay off to drive a right footed shot beyond keeper Peter Jameson.
Harriers doubled the advantage when substitute Mani Sonupe raced down the right before delivering a precise chip over Jameson on 71 minutes.
It was a nervy final few minutes for the visitors when Sean Reid bundled home an Adam Wrightson corner on 87 minutes but they held firm to take three important points and hold onto fourth place in the table.
Blyth Spartans: Jameson, Liddle, Watson, Buddle, Mullen, Atkinson, Rivvers (Langstaff 80), Reid, Wrightson, Hopson (Laidler 80), Dale. Subs Not Used: Cartwright, Gorman, MacDonald (g/k).
Kidderminster Harriers: Hall, Pearson, Austin, O’Connor, Horsfall, Croasdale, Weeks, Ngwatala (Waring 72), McQuilkin (Sonupe 49), Ironside, Brown. Subs: Truslove, Digie, Vaughan N (g/k).
