Brackley Town 2 Kidderminster Harriers 0 - Report
Brackley Town, with just one defeat in eleven league games, continued their push towards the National League North summit with a 2-0 victory over Kidderminster Harriers bringing an end to the visitors three match unbeaten run in the process.
Brackley, who won 3-1 at Aggborough at the beginning of September, were struggling throughout as Harriers controlled the game right from the outset, but the visitors failure to convert chances was to cost them dear.
Harriers kept the same side that beat Hereford on Boxing Day, with leading marksman Ashley Chambers still out injured, Ethan Fremantle continued to lead the line in attack, the young striker being a handful for Kelvin Langmead and Thierry Audel.
Harriers controlled play for long periods, Milan Butterfield and Rhys Williams going close in the opening ten minutes.
Former Harriers keeper Danny Lewis was in inspired form to keep his former club at bay, saving from Ollie Shenton and recovering to parry away from the onrushing Fremantle, but he knew little about Rhys Williams long range effort that struck the bar with the home keeper beaten on 20 minutes.
Shenton again went close before Correy Davidson and Ashley Hemmings got in on the act with efforts that tested the resolve of the home defence. Fremantle flicked a header onto the roof of the home goal and was denied again this time by Lewis’ outstretched right leg as Harriers sought the goal their play deserved.
Within six minutes of the restart Thierry Audel had capitalised on a defensive mistake to put the home side ahead and on the hour mark Harriers lost the services of Rhys Williams for an ugly challenge on James Armson to leave Harriers a man down for the final half hour.
Harriers responded well to going a goal down, once more Lewis showed his agility in tipping over Butterfields effort and again moments later to deny Sam Austin.
With Harriers pushing forward gaps appeared at the back and Lee Ndlovu maintained his fine recent record in front of goal netting on 86 minutes for his 9th goal in six games to seal the win and keep Brackley in the hunt for honours
Brackley Town: Lewis, Myles, Franklin, Byrne, Audel, Langmead, Lowe, Murombedzi, Ndlovu, Daire (Armson 46), Walker (Fairlamb 83). Subs unused: Smith, Baker, Noon.
Kidderminster Harriers: Mannion , Austin, Davidson, Williams R, Moyo, Johnson, Butterfield, Shenton (Williams 50), Prosser, Hemmings, Fremantle (Peniket 67). Subs Not Used: Palmer, Scott, Higginson.