Festive delight as Kidderminster Harriers continue strong run

A stunning goal from Ashley Hemmings and a second half strike from Zak Brown was enough to earn Harriers a fourth straight win in all competitions and the manager believes the victory ensured Christmas dinner will taste a whole lot better.

He said: “I just mentioned to the players, sometimes you are facing your family on Christmas Day having lost the previous game, trying to prepare for Boxing Day.

“There is no better feeling than when you win the game before Christmas and you know you can look your family in the eye knowing you are doing a good job. I thought the players did a great job.”

Hemmings fired in his ninth of the season from 20 yards out to break the deadlock before Zak Brown got the second just before the hour mark.

Boss Brown: “We are building toward having something to celebrate at the end of the season and the jigsaw is coming together very nicely.”

Rushall Olympic remain rooted at the foot of the table after falling to a 2-1 defeat at Chorley, their sixth straight defeat.

The Pics produced an improved performance but found themselves a goal down when Kole Hall converted from the penalty spot, after Joe Hull had been penalised for handball. Mike Calveley then doubled the home side’s advantage before Hull pulled one back with 15 minutes remaining but the visitors could not find a leveller.

Halesowen Town remain hot on the heels of Southern League Central leaders Kettering after Conor Tee earned them a last-gasp win over Redditch United.

Tee fired home a 94th minute free-kick to earn the Yeltz a 2-1 victory, after Ryan Wollacott’s opener had been quickly cancelled out by Johnny Johnston.

There was also late drama at Stourbridge, where the hosts earned a 1-1 draw with AFC Telford United courtesy of skipper Alex Jones’ scrambled leveller deep in stoppage time.

Jones had come off the bench minutes following a period out with injury.

“I thought we deserved the point overall for our work rate, our defending and not giving up,” said Glassboys boss Liam McDonald.

"I was also pleased for Alex Jones who had not long come on, I think he got the final touch with the goal though it might have been over the line. He is our captain and we have missed him.

"Telford will probably feel a bit disappointed having led for the last 15 minutes going into injury time but we had a similar situation in the Halesowen game recently so it can happen. We will take the point going into a tough Christmas programme when we will be looking for two wins."