Blyth Spartans 1 Kidderminster Harriers 1 - Report
Kidderminster Harriers continued to pick up points away from their Aggborough base as they recorded a draw on their travels at bottom of the table Blyth Spartans.
John Pemberton’s squad, minus the International call-ups for Rhys Williams and Milan Butterfield, suffered an injury in the warm-up to goalkeeper Cameron Gregory which resulted in Tom Palmer being named in the starting line-up.
Blyth Spartans, having suffered seven defeats in their opening eight games, started well, new loan signing Levi Amantchi from Chesterfield proving a handful for the Harriers defence.
Adam Wrightson’s early trickery tested Harriers resolve, Tom Palmer doing well to dive smartly to his left to divert the winger’s goalbound effort.
Lewis Hawkins dragged an effort wide and Callum Roberts was wasteful with the dead ball opportunities for the home side who lacked guile in the final third.
Harriers grew in confidence but lost Jamie Sharman to injury on 28 minutes, his replacement Ed Williams creating an opening but Ashley Chambers was denied by Tom Devitt.
Chambers was again denied an addition to his season’s six goal tally as Anthony Cllaghan cleared the strikers header off the goalline in first half stoppage time.
Harriers started the second half in much the same vein they finished the first and Alex Prosser was on hand to side foot home from 12 yards after receiving Williams pass on 48 minutes.
Harriers continued to press Richard Peniket dragged an effort wide and then struck a shot that hit Tom Devitt with the keeper beaten .
Blyth drew level on 65 minutes, Robbie Dale crashing a freekick beyond Palmer to give Spartans hope, awarded after Prosser and Dale had been tussling for a through ball.
Harriers thought they had immediately regained the lead but Correy Davidson saw his strike ruled out by the assistant’s flag.
Ryan Johnson was next to see an effort blocked on the line as Mark Foden kept his goal intact, and somehow the Blyth defence were able to hack clear.
Substitute Scott Fenwick forced a save from Palmer on a rare raid forward by the home side who were grateful to hear the final whistle and claim only their second point of the campaign.
Teams
Blyth Spartans: Foden, Evans, Callaghan, Hawkins, Devitt, Robson, Wrightson (Scott 90+1), Mouanda (Orrell 90), Amantchi (Fenwick 78), Roberts, Dale. Subs Not Used: Ritson, Harker.
Kidderminster Harriers: Palmer, Austin, Davidson, Sharman (Williams E 28), Moyo, Johnson, Prosser, Shenton (White 68), Peniket, Weeks, Chambers. Subs Not Used: Higginson, Lowth.
