Kidderminster Harriers 1 Bradford Park Avenue 2 - Report
Kidderminster Harriers are preparing for the play-offs after ending their regular National League North campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Bradford Park Avenue at Aggborough.
Boss John Eustace’s promotion hopefuls took the lead with a first half strike from Dan Bradley before the visitors hit back with dramatic late goals from Frank Mulhern and Adam Boyes
Fourth-in-the-table Harriers, who had been unbeaten in their previous six matches, now face a play-off quarter-final against seventh-placed Bradford who have to return to Aggborough on Wednesday.
The winners will visit third-placed Brackley Town in the semi-finals the following Sunday (May 6).
With an eye on the play-offs, Kidderminster, who drew 1-1 at Bradford earlier in the season, made wholesale changes from the side which triumphed 3-1 at relegated North Ferriby United the previous Saturday.
They named a number of their regular starting line-up players on the bench including skipper Ryan Croasdale, leading scorer Joe Ironside and influential midfielder James McQuilkin.
Bradley was back in action after injury and went close inside the opening couple of minutes when he had an effort scrambled away with difficulty by goalkeeper Steven
Drench for an unproductive corner.
Battling Bradford responded shortly afterwards with a 12 yard shot from Nicky Wroe which rebounded off the post.
Kidderminster went ahead after a quarter of an hour when Elton Ngwatala lifted the ball over the visiting rear-guard to Bradley who was left on his own in front of goal to hammer an unstoppable drive past helpless Drench. It was his eighth goal in his last seven outings.
Harriers almost went further ahead when lively Manny Sonupe cut inside and pulled the trigger on a powerful shot which flew just inches over the bar.
Bradford had a chance to equalise but Jamie Spencer side-footed wide when well positioned before Aggborough goalkeeper Brandon Hall was called on to pull off an excellent point blank save to deny Oli Johnson.
Man-of-the-match Hall was soon in action again in the second half when he pushed away a low shot from Mulhearn before Luca Havern went close with a strong header.
Harriers, however, were always on the search for another goal and Lee Vaughan and Sam Austin both had efforts safely gathered by well positioned Drench.
The Avenue were thwarted on 76 minutes when Hall produced a tremendous save by managing to claw away a close range effort from Johnson.
Shortly afterwards he was called on to save a free kick by Mulhern who was bang on target on 81 minutes when he netted following a corner.
Former Aggborough loanee Boyes then sealed victory three minutes into stoppage time.
Kidderminster: Hall; L. Vaughan, Digie, Taylor, Austin; Truslove (Waring, 61), Weeks, Ngwatala; Sonupe, Brown, Bradley (Pearson, 46). Subs not used: Croasdale, McQuilkin, Ironside.
Bradford PA: Drench; Ross, Killock, Havern, Atkinson; Brooksby, Wroe, Spencer (Vidal, 74), Johnson; Mulhern (Boshell, 95); Boyes. Subs not used: Hall, Toulson.
Referee: Scott Simpson (Stoke).
Attendance: 1,642 (59 away fans).
