Kidderminster 0 Alfreton Town 1 - Report

Injury-plagued Kidderminster Harriers’ bid to regain a National League North play-off place suffered another severe blow when they crashed to a dismal 1-0 defeat against Alfreton Town at Aggborough.

The visitors sealed victory with a first half goal from former Harriers campaigner Reece Styche.

It was another bitterly disappointing display by Colin Gordon’s side who are now in ninth spot in the table.

Kidderminster, who drew 3-3 at Alfreton in the opening game of the campaign, made three changes from the side which triumphed 1-0 at AFC Telford United the previous Saturday,

With first choice Brandon Hall and his deputy Tom Palmer both injured, the goalkeeping slot was filled by 21 year-old Jake Weaver who has signed on loan for a month from Birmingham City. He has also performed for Hungerford Town in the National League South this season.

Another new goalkeeper, 19 year-old Kieran Boucher, who has played for Lye Town and Halesowen Town this term, was on the substitutes’ bench.

Sam Austin and Harry Higginson, both in the starting line-up at Telford, made way for Liam McAlinden and Ryan Johnson, who returned to the Aggborough defence after a three-match suspension.

Harriers made an encouraging start with Nick Clayton-Phillips causing problems for the visiting rear-guard with a number of darting runs.

Alfreton, however, began to settle and Joshua Clackstone had a shot from distance saved by Weaver in the ninth minute.

At the other end a powerful 25 yard free kick by McAlindin in front of goal dipped just wide before he tried his luck again with a long range shot which was safely dealt with by goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom.

Alfreton suffered a setback on 21 minutes when an awkward landing by former Harriers striker Richard Peniket resulted in him picking up an injury and being stretchered off. He was replaced by Tom Allan.

The visitors, however, quickly got back into their stride and took the lead on 27 minutes when a corner by Bobby Johnson was headed in from close range at the far post by unmarked Styche.

Striker Joe Ironside had a chance in the closing stages of the first half, but his effort was kept out by the combined efforts of Ramsbottom and Dominic Smith.

Harriers continued to find it hard to break through the well organised visitors defence after the break although substitute Milan Butterfield fired in a shot on 52 minutes which forced Ramsbottom into making a save.

Shortly afterwards Declan Weeks saw his long range pile-driver flash just off target before Butterfield had a shot blocked on the line in the 90th minute.

Kidderminster: Weaver; Vaughan, Horsfall, Heaton (Austin 79), Johnson (Higginson, 51); Penn (Butterfield, 41), Weeks, Clayton-Phillips; Chambers, Ironside, McAlinden. Subs not used: Boucher, Taylor-Randle.

Alfreton: Ramsbottom; Clackstone, Shiels, Riley, Smith, Wilde; Styche (Bateson, 72), Lynch, Platt, Johnson; Peniket (Allan, 22). Sub not used: Nicholson, Sinnott, O’Brien.

Referee: Lewis Smith (Lancs).

Attendance: 1,315 (36 away fans).