Altrincham 2 Kidderminster Harriers 1 - Report
Kidderminster Harriers were seeking an end to successive away defeats for the visit to play-off chasing Altrincham in order to keep their slim chances of extending the season alive but a woeful opening left them with too much to do ,despite a late rally they slipped to a 2-1 defeat.
With two games in hand of their visitors, the ‘Robins’ were keen to not to give Harriers any momentum, despite looking short of match practice having not played for three weeks.
Jake Moult made his 300th senior start for the Robins, whilst Mark Yates welcomed back into his squad, Ed Williams and Milan Butterfield who both missed the defeat at Brackley Town.
Harriers problems have been consistency, 6 wins and 7 defeats in fourteen games since the turn of the year is testament to that and having suffered defeats at Chorley and Brackley in March, the pressure was on to turn in a top performance against an Altrincham side that boasted just one defeat in their last seven matches.
Altrincham broke the deadlock on 11 minutes, the lively John Johnston had already flashed some crosses in front of the Harriers goal without reward, but his left wing corner eluded the gloves of Brandon Hall and James Jones ghosted in at the far post to head home the opener.
Harriers responded with a Fraser Horsfall effort that crashed against the home bar resulting in a break for the Robins that Yousifu Ceesay was unable to convert after rounding the keeper.
Harriers fell further behind on 19 minutes, Johnston and White combined down the Harriers left to provide the ball for Jordan Hulme, the striker was thwarted by Ryan Johnson who looked on helplessly as the ball dipped below his own bar.
Joe Ironside was denied by a goalline clearance but he got his revenge six minutes before the break, turning to force home Liam McAlinden’s downward header.
Harriers came out all guns blazing in the second half, creating chance after chance without scoring.
A well worked free kick move should have had the visitors level but Kane Richards weak close range effort was parried by Tony Thompson who then smothered the loose ball from Kwame Thomas.
Both Thomas and Richards spurned clear chances late on, Thomas scooped a Joel Taylor cross over from close range and Richards somehow managed to clear the goal from two yards out as he reached Ed Williams squared ball.
Altrincham held firm to take the points leaving Harriers needing maximum points from their five remaining matches to be in with a chance of the play-offs.
TEAMS
Altrincham: Thompson, White, Hampson, Jones, Hannigan, Moult, Johnston (Densmore 87), Williams, Hulme, Hancock (Richman 61), Ceesay (Chadwick 70). Subs Not Used: Dolan, Drench.
Kidderminster Harriers: Hall, Flowers, Taylor, Horsfall, Johnson, Weeks (Penn 87),Butterfield, Chambers, Ironside (Thomas 71) , McAlinden (Richards 80), Williams . Subs Not Used: Higginson, Palmer.
