Gainsborough Trinity 1 Kidderminster Harriers 0 - Report
Kidderminster Harriers kept themselves in contention for the end of season play-offs but slipped to a third successive defeat as Nicky Walker’s late, late goal gave Gainsborough Trinity a vital win in their effort to avoid relegation.
Harriers made three changes to the team that suffered a last minute defeat at Darlington last time out, Joel Taylor, Joe Ironside and Andre Brown all making the starting eleven.
Manager John Eustace had urged his strikers to stand up and be the main men in Harriers quest to extend the regular season with twelve games to go and he watched from the sidelines as the usual failings came back to haunt him, Harriers creating numerous chances but unable to convert them.
Harriers started brightly as Ryan Croasdale and Dan Bradley forced saves from home keeper Henrich Ravas with only three minutes played.
The pressure continued as Bradley and then Elton Ngwatala tested the agility of Ravas with the visitors seemingly looking to score at any time.
However as the half continued Trinity gained in confidence although they were predominantly fighting a rearguard action.
Defender James Pearson then struck a wicked 30 yard drive that Ravas did well to parry away before Bradley and Ngwatala again went close to breaking the deadlock.
The home side showed little as an attacking force although Brandon Fleming curled a left footed strike just wide of Jonathan Flatt’s right hand post four minutes before the break.
Harriers went even closer ten minutes after the interval James Pearson’s goalbound header was cleared off the line by Jack Vann and from the re-worked ball Pearson looked on as Henrich Ravas flung himself to his left to tip the ball over the bar.
Harriers kept pressing but incorrect decision-making restricted further opportunities and at the death it was the home side who found the golden touch in front of goal.
Nicky Walker signed from Shaw Lane marked his home debut with a goal four minutes into added time to ease the nerves in the relegation zone and hand Lee Sinnott his first win on his inaugural game at home.
Teams
Gainsborough Trinity: Ravas, Vann, Flemming, Clarke, Stainfield, Beatson, Richards (Simmons 87), L.King, Worsfold (Jacklin 90+4), C.King (Russell 74), Walker. Subs: Davie, Bateson.
Kidderminster Harriers: Flatt, Vaughan, Taylor, Pearson, Horsfall, Croasdale, Weeks, Brown (Sonupe 82), Ngwatala (Austin 46), Ironside (Waring 62), Bradley. Subs: McQuilkin, Palmer(gk).
