Express & Star

KIdderminster Harriers 2 Altrincham 0 - Report

Ashley Chambers scored twice as Kidderminster Harriers’ long wait for their first home win of the season ended with a well earned 2-0 National League North triumph over Altrincham at Aggborough.

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The hard working front-runner pounced in each half to leave the Robins still searching for their first away victory of the campaign.

Man-of-the-match Chambers has now notched eight goals in 11 games so far this term.

Kidderminster, who went into the clash on the back of four defeats and a draw in their opening five home matches, made three changes from the side which drew 1-1 at struggling Blyth Spartans the previous Saturday.

Rhys Williams and Milan Butterfield both returned after international duty – defender Williams for England Under 19s and midfielder Butterfield for Bermuda – while Ed Williams replaced Ollie Shenton just behind the front two pairing of leading scorer Chambers and Richard Peniket.

Goalkeeper Cameron Gregory and defender Jamie Sharman remained on the injury list.

Harriers forced a corner inside the opening couple of minutes which led to Correy Davidson having his high kick firmly punched away by under pressure goalkeeper Tony Thompson before being cleared.

The Robins, captained by former Aggborough campaigner Jake Moult, responded with a promising raid which resulted in Jordan Hulme screwing a low shot wide.

Harriers looked menacing when pushing forward and broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when good work by Davidson set up Chambers to fire home a first time curling shot over Thompson and into the top corner of the net.

The visitors created a decent chance to draw level eight minutes later when good build-up work ended with John Johnston side footing wide while well positioned in front of goal.

Just after the half hour mark Harriers had an opportunity to increase their narrow lead when Chambers won possession before laying the ball off to Ed Williams who should have done better with an effort which hit Thompson before going out for an unproductive corner.

At the other end the Aggborough rear-guard were guilty of sloppy play which allowed Josh Hancock to get in a goalbound shot which was blocked by Rhys Williams.

In the closing stages of the first period Kidderminster were unlucky when Peniket saw his shot beat Thompson only for it to rebound the post before being cleared.

Harriers gained a corner after just five minutes of the second half which caused chaos in the visiting goalmouth before Peniket put the ball wide after a couple of efforts had been blocked on the line.

Shortly afterwards a fierce half volley by Sam Austin was not far off target before Chambers had a shot deflected over the bar for a fruitless corner.

Harriers finally stretched their lead when a ball over the top by Declan Weeks reached Chambers who ran on and fired in a shot which entered the net off the post in the 66th minute.

Minutes later Ed Williams was denied a goal thanks to an excellent diving save by Thompson whose opposite number Tom Palmer was then called on to save a free kick from Ashley Hemmings.

Kidderminster: Palmer; Moyo, R. Williams, Johnson; Austin, Weeks, Butterfield, Davidson (Higginson, 86); E. Williams (Shenton, 90); Chambers (Prosser, 86), Peniket. Subs not used: Mountjoy, Lowth.

Altrincham: Thompson; White, Jones (Mullarkey, 17), Hannigan, Hampson; Johnston, Moult, Williams, Hemmings; Hancock (Harrop, 63); Hulme (Peers, 74). Subs not used: Torrance, Densmore.

Referee: Michael Barlow (Lancs).

Attendance: 1,463 (106 away fans).