Report | Kidderminster Harriers 3-1 Blyth Spartans | National League North | 22/23

By Dan Rolls

Spartans suffered a 3-1 defeat to play off chasing Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough Stadium, where the home side recorded their first home win in the league since late October.

From the get go Kidderminster were on the front foot, as Harriers left winger Lissimore took it down the flank, beat Dopson but it was easily blocked and cleared away by the Lees.

Lissimore again broke through midfield and out on to the left, put in a cross that went over everyone in the 6 yard box, eventually finding the foot of the right back Penny but his effort went high and wide.

10 minutes in and Kidderminster again broke down the right flank with Lissimore but the cross was well defended and headed away but only as far as the edge of the area, where the follow up shot was also well blocked and went out from a corner.

From the corner Kidderminster Knight-Percival headed an effort towards goal but Will McGowan was able to clear it away off the line and away from danger.

Liverpool loanee Jack Bearne then ran through into the box and unleashed a powerful effort at goal but his effort was saved by Mitchell.

Harriers then again targeted the left flank as a ball from Lissimore couldn't quite find the leg of Morgan-Smith in the middle who had got between Elsdon and Lees.

Just moments after Troy Chiabi dropped back to help bring the ball forward and seemed to be fouled on the edge of Spartans box, but the referee ignored the claims and then gave free kick to Kidderminster for a 'foul' just seconds later.

30 minutes and Spartans had their first ram chance and finding the net as Will McGowan drove at the defence and was pulled down at the edge old the box. Sadly his free kick effort went high and wide.

Minutes later though it was 1-0 Kidderminster, as a ball in from the left flank by Hemmings is met by the incoming Morgan Smith who stabbed home.

Morgan-Smith again tried causing Spartans problems as he again ran at the defence but this time tried a strike from distance that went well over.

A few moments later Spartans finally kicked into gear with some beautiful football. Forward Sam Hodgson dropped deep to collect a ball and picked out Danny Barlow on the left wing who did well to control it, he played in Round who fired a cross into the box where Hodgson's header was cleared away but only as far as Matty Dopson on the edge of the box who fired an effort from 20 yards out past Palmier in the Harriers goal to make it 1-1 going into half time.

Despite Spartans looking comfortable in the opening stages of the second half, it didn't take Kidderminster long to regain the lead.

Kidderminster attacked the flanks once again, this time down the right hand side where a cross was fired in and just about found the foot of Morgan-Smith who did well to stab home to make it 2-1 Kidderminster.

This would swing the momentum of the game back in Kidderminster favour, as they kept up the pressure seeking more goals and newrly got one when a corner swung in was headed at goal by Penny but Mitchell did well to tip it over the bar.

It be 3-1 Harriers just a minute later though. As Kidderminster broke with Owen Evans driving towards goal and his shot went in past Alex Mitchell at his near post.

The tempo of the game began to die down following Harriers goal, with neither side being able to carve out a clear cut chance. That was until the 70th minute when Danny Barlow put a cross in for Cedric Main who's bullet header was cleared off the line.

With 10 minutes left Kane Hemmings had a free kick for Harriers from about the 25 yards out but his effort didn't worry Mitchell.

Spartans last big chance of the night occurred late on when Danny Barlow's ball found Barrett on the far on the right flank, he put a great cross into the box but no one was there to convert.

Kidderminster Harriers | Palmer, Penny, Knight-Percival, Pearce, Owen-Evans (Martin '68) Morgan-Smith (Freemantle '90) Hemmings, Lissimore, Bearne (McGlynn 78'), McNally, Byrne

Unused subs - Leak, Dibble

Blyth Spartans | Mitchell, Dopson, Lees ©, Elsdon, Round, McGowan, Pani, Hickey (Barrett '75) Barlow, Chiabi (Main '55), Hodgson (Walker '80)

Unused subs - Cornish, Liddle

Attendance - 2,124 (6 Away fans)