Kidderminster Harriers 0 Alfreton Town 1 - Report and pictures

The high-riding visitors made it four victories on the bounce thanks to a first half goal from Dominic Smith.

Kidderminster, whose three previous three home encounters ended in a draw with Leamington and defeats against Gloucester City and Chester FC, were unchanged from the side which won 5-3 at Kettering Town on Bank Holiday Monday.

Included on the substitutes’ bench were new loan signings Ollie Shenton, a 21 year old midfielder from Stoke City who has also played for Wrexham, and teenage central defender Jamie Sharman from Chesterfield.

Midfielder Declan Weeks remained on the casualty list with a groin injury sustained against Chester.

After a hectic opening quarter of an hour, Alfreton forced the first corner which almost produced a goal when Bobby Johnson’s kick found Josh Thacker at the far post, but the midfielder directed his powerful header just over,

Harriers responded with a long menacing free kick by Correy Davidson which caused problems in the visitors’ penalty area before Ashley Chambers lifted the ball over bar.

With the game starting to open up at both ends, Thacker tried his luck with a low shot which goalkeeper Cameron Gregory pushed away for an unproductive corner.

Harriers continued to search for a clear-cut effort on goal and an excellent through ball by Alex Prosser reached Sam Austin, but his shot lacked power and goalkeeper Jack Atkinson was able to gather easily.

The visitors, however, broke the deadlock in the 41st minute when a corner by Johnson was firmly headed into the net by unchallenged Smith.

Just before interval Ryan Johnson pulled the trigger on a shot from range, but the ball flew high over the bar.

Harriers opened the second period with a neat build-up involving Chambers which led to Milan Butterfield unleashing a fierce long range drive which sailed high and wide.

They again worried Alfreton in the 51st minute when an excellent through ball by Ed Williams was well controlled by Davidson who ran in on goal before dragging his effort wide of the target.

At the other end Rhys Williams did well to block a close range shot in front of goal by former Aggborough striker Amari Morgan-Smith.

Within minutes substitute Ben Tomlinson unleashed a powerful drive which diving Gregory did well to push onto the post before the ball rebounded to safety.

In injury time Alfreton had Tomlinson sent off for two bookable offences.

Kidderminster: Gregory; Moyo, R. Williams, Johnson; Austin, Prosser (Sharman, 74), Butterfield, Davidson; E. Williams (Shenton, 79); Chambers, Peniket. Subs not used: Palmer, Higginson, Freemantle.

Alfreton: Atkinson; Clackstone, Killock, Qualter, Wilde; Thacker, Lynch, Smith, Johnson (East, 67); Clarke (Tomlinson, 61), Morgan-Smith (Blake, 86). Subs not used: Whitham, Hinchley.

Referee: Richard Holmes.

Attendance: 1,183 (46 away fans).