Kings Lynn Town 0 Kidderminster Harriers 2 - Report

Harriers welcomed back Rhys Williams for his first start of 2020 following the serving of a three match suspension for his dismissal at Brackley Town during the festive activity.

Kings Lynn were defending an unbeaten home record stretching back 17 months and few would have expected struggling Harriers to come and threaten that record having lost four of their last five games.

On 15 minutes Harriers forced their first corner of the game, Ashley Hemmings curled the ball into the near post from the right, the home defence struggled to clear their lines and the ball dropped invitingly sixteen yards out and Alex Prosser side-footed the ball into the bottom right corner to give the visitors the lead.

The ‘Linnets’ had strong penalty claims dismissed by referee Hughes as Ryan Johnson appeared to handle Simon Power’s right wing cross.

Sam Austin and Austin Samuels forced efforts wide of the Kings Lynn goal before Harriers doubled their advantage 8 minutes before the break. Sam Austin went down under the challenge of Ryan Jarvis and whilst everybody stopped expecting the foul to be given, Ashley Hemmings continued to take the ball towards the bye-line before delivering a pin-point left wing cross for leading marksman Ashley Chambers to provide a dirst –time finish for his 12th goal of the campaign.

Attacking substitutions from the home side ensured an attack minded second half, but the hosts struggled to get behind the hard working visiting defence.

Dayle Southwell saw a blistering drive tipped over by Mannion in the first minute after the break before leading marksman Adam Marriott crashed a rising drive too high from 12 yards.

Harriers were under increasing pressure as Marriott again found space on the edge of the box to unleash a curling effort that Mannion diverted at full stretch.

With the game being as open as it was, Austin Samuels could have eased the tension for visiting fans as his drive was kicked away by Alex Street.

Harriers organisation frustrated the ‘Linnets’ still further as defenders Rory McAuley and Chris Smith were pressed forward in an effort to net late goals, it was not to be as Harriers moved into 16th place with the win.

Kings Lynn Town: Street, Jones, Fox (Hawkins 46), Jarvis (Carey 55), Smith, McAuley, Power, Richards, Gash, Marriott, Henderson (Southwell 46). Subs Not Used: Kelly, Payne.

Kidderminster Harriers: Mannion , Austin, Moyo, Williams R, Lowe, Johnson, Butterfield, Prosser, Hemmings (Williams E 66), Chambers, Samuels (Nabi 72 (Shenton 85)). Subs Not Used: Palmer, Davidson.