Kidderminster Harriers 1 Boston 3 - Report
Former West Brom caretaker boss Jimmy Shan kicked off his role as Kidderminster Harriers’ interim manager with a 3-1 National League North defeat against Boston United at Aggborough.
The 41 year-old was denied a winning start by the impressive Pilgrims who scored through Jordan Thewlis, Dominic Knowles and Jonathan Wafula.
Harriers’ consolation goal came from Aggborough captain Cliff Moyo.
The disappointing defeat leaves the hosts with only two victories in their last 15 outings.
Kidderminster, playing their third home league match in eight days, made a couple of changes from the side which drew 1-1 with Gateshead at Aggborough earlier in the week.
Alex Prosser came into the starting line-up with fellow midfielder Milan Butterfield returning after injury.
Missing were Ed Williams and Richard Peniket who were both on casualty list.
Shan’s side fell behind in the eighth minute when Thewlis hammered home a well struck penalty which was awarded after Moyo had brought down Jake Wright inside the area.
Lowly Harriers set about trying to repair the early damage and got back on level terms in the 19th minute when a corner by former Boston player Ashley Hemmings was forced in a the far post by Moyo.
A couple of minutes later Hemmings tried his luck from 20 yards, but his powerful drive smacked into the side netting.
Declan Weeks also pulled the trigger on a strong long range shot which flew high over the bar.
Harriers suffered a blow after 38 minutes when Hemmings limped off and was replaced by Ollie Shenton.
He had been injured shortly before in a clumsy challenge by Alex Penny.
Deep into first half stoppage time Boston’s goalkeeper Peter Crook did well to push away a volley from Sam Austin following a high cross from Correy Davidson.
Harriers made a fine start to the second period and a splendid build-up led to Ashley Chambers firing in a shot which was well pushed away by Crook.
Austin then had a deflected shot hit the top of the bar before unlucky Chambers had a shot blocked on the line.
Boston, however, regained the lead on 51 minutes when Knowles, who played in half a dozen games for Kidderminster in early 2015, headed home a cross from Penny at the far post.
Shortly afterwards Harriers’ goalkeeper Will Mannion did well to stick out a foot and deflect away a shot from Thewlis.
Boston, foiled by a number of fine saves by Mannion, wrapped up the points with a headed goal by substitute Wafula on 89 minutes.
Kidderminster: Mannion; Austin, R. Williams, Johnson, Davidson; Moyo, Butterfield, Weeks, Prosser, Hemmings (Shenton, 38); Chambers (Diau, 81). Subs not used: Palmer, Digie, Neligwa.
Boston: Crook; Penny, Bird, Shiels, Whittle; Thewlis (Wafula, 87), Platt, Abbott, Rollins, Wright (Wright, 67), Knowles (Rowe, 76). Subs not used: Ainge, Walker.
Referee: Richard Holmes (Lancs).
Attendance: 1,102 (86 away fans).
