Kidderminster Harriers 2 Chester 0 - Report

Leading scorer Sonupe put John Eustace’s glory seekers ahead in the first half before creating the opportunity for Ironside to wrap up a victory which earned Harriers £12,500 in prize-money.

Their well taken goals also enabled delighted Kidderminster to stretch their unbeaten home run to six matches.

Harriers, facing Chester for the first time since February 2016 when both clubs were in the National League, welcomed back James Pearson following hamstring trouble while fellow defender Jimmy O’Connor came in for his home debut. Dan Bradley, suffering with a calf strain recently, was on the bench as was under 23 squad player Cameron Howkins.

The Blues, managed by former Aggborough defender Marcus Bignot, included ex-Harriers campaigner Lathaniel Rowe-Turner in their starting line along with Harry White, a former loanee.

Harriers, who beat lower rated Deeping Rangers and Newcastle Benfield in the previous two rounds, made a positive start and gave the visitors cause for concern inside the opening couple of minutes when skipper Ryan Croasdale was not far off the mark with a fierce drive from the edge of the area.

Shortly afterwards Elton Ngwatala tried his luck from long range with a shot which was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Alex Lynch.

Harriers’ attacking efforts were rewarded in the 19th minute when a 25 yard shot from Ngwatala hit the base of a post before Sonupe reacted quickly to knock the ball into the back of the net for his ninth goal of the season.

Chester had to wait until the half hour mark before they worried the hosts with an Andy Halls cross which reached John McCombie who wasted a decent opportunity by heading over the bar from close range. A few minutes later White drilled the ball just over the bar.

The visitors had a good chance to equalise on 54 minutes when a perfect cross from Rowe-Turner found substitute Jordan Chapel who glanced a header wide when unchallenged in front of goal.

It was a fortunate escape for Harriers in front of their highest gate so far this season – 1,896, including more than 500 travelling fans.

They took full advantage on 79 minutes when a cross from Sonupe was headed into the net off the foot of a post. It was his sixth goal of the campaign.

Teams

Kidderminster: Hall; Pearson (Williams, 47), O’Connor, Horsfall, Taylor; McQuilkin, Croasdale, Ngwatala; Sonupe (Austin, 81), Ironside, Wright (Bradley, 61). Subs not used: Brown, Weeks, Digie, Finch, Howkins.

Chester: Lynch; Halls, McCombe (Bell, 72), Astles, Rowe-Turner; Dawson, James, Turnbull, Waters (Chapell, 46), White (Zanzala, 61), Akintunde. Subs not used: Davies, Jones, Shaw, Crump.

Referee: Paul Marsden (Lancs).

Attendance: 1,896 (522 away fans).