Kidderminster Harriers enjoy first home win
Goals from Joe Ironside and Manny Sonupe earned Kidderminster Harriers a 2-0 win over Leamington at Aggborough.
Ironside was spot on with a penalty in the 66th minute before Sonupe sealed the points in stoppage time.
It was Harriers’ first home win of the season which puts them in good heart for Saturday’s tough test at Salford City.
Kidderminster, meeting the Brakes in a league match for the first time since 1982, took time to settle.
They responded by gaining a corner which was taken by James McQuilkin and headed narrowly over the bar by central defender Liam Daly.
Leamington, whose starting line-up included five former Aggborough players, had a fortunate escape shortly before the half-hour when a downward header by Daly was flicked on to Tyrone Williams who wasted a decent chance by failing to get the ball under control while under pressure in front of goal. Shortly afterwards Elton Ngwatala tried his luck with a powerful 22-yard shot which whizzed just wide.
Harriers made a positive start to the second period with Ngwatala firing wide from distance.
They finally broke the deadlock after Sonupe was tripped inside the area by substitute Kacy Butterfield. Ironside sent Tony Breedon the wrong way with a perfectly placed low penalty.
Battling Leamington went close to getting back on terms in the 86th minute when a free-kick by Connor Cudger was expertly tipped over the bar by Harriers goalkeeper Brandon Hall.
Harriers clinched victory in stoppage time when Sonupe fired the ball in from long range after Breedon had ventured up field to try to capitalise on a corner.
