Vanarama National League North
Aggborough Stadium
Friday 19th April 2019

Leamington win at Aggborough. That sentence alone would probably be enough to put a smile on the face of any Brakes supporter of 30 years or more. Those immersed in the history of the club will tell you that although the name Kidderminster Harriers did not feature on the fixture list for some 34 years until last season, the histories of the two clubs were entwined early in the 1980’s as they spiralled in opposite directions.

You would have to go as far back as October 1977 to find Brakes’ last victory on Kidderminster soil - a 2-1 success in the FA Cup, and even further back to April 1976 for the last league win so this present day success was a very long time in coming, and was thoroughly enjoyed by a raucous travelling support who shouted themselves hoarse for 90 minutes as their team put a potentially huge dent in their hosts hopes of finishing the season in the play off places.

With safety secured supporters and players alike were in the unfamiliar position of being able to enjoy the final three games of the season, and after the opening few minutes here that is exactly what they did.

With Kidderminster still in with a decent shout of making the play offs the home side sprang into action quickly and looked to have made the perfect start when Joe Ironside spanked a powerful drive past Tony Breeden on five minutes to open the scoring.

Callum Gittings, one of several former Harriers in Paul Holleran’s side, drove a shot well over the bar before Leamington stunned Aggborough with an equaliser on 10 minutes. With the pressure off the passing and movement was wonderful to watch at times and a slick move caught the Kidderminster defence on the hop, Jordan Murphy stroking a low right wing cross into the centre from which Colby Bishop forced a fine save out of keeper Tom Palmer, but there was Jack Edwards to mop up and slam in the loose ball.

Harriers looked a little rattled, but former Brakes loan star Sam Austin’s dangerous right wing centre was met by a diving header from Ashley Chambers that was well held by Breeden on his line.

Bishop looked to have a great chance to fire Leamington in front when he capitalised on a short back pass to go in on goal, but Harry Flowers did enough to put him off and the shot rolled just past the post.

Gittings came close to finding the net when he was picked out by Ahmed Obeng in a central position on the edge of the box, his strike deflecting behind for a corner. The Harriers defence swiftly conceded another from which Junior English rose highest to plant a firm header into the net and turn the game on its head just past the half hour mark.

Standing firm in the face of inevitable pressure was now the order of the day, and Breeden did superbly to claim a dangerous ball into his penalty area despite receiving treatment just moments earlier.

Harriers attempted to regain their shape but Brakes were full of confidence now and went into the dressing room with their tails up at half time.

Mark Yates threw on the experienced Russell Penn in an attempt to swing the pendulum back in his side’s favour but it was Bishop who almost added a third for Brakes when a right wing cross somehow found its way to him, but a good first touch and strike was matched by Palmer with the save.

Liam McAlinden was within inches of levelling things up for Harriers when his rising drive grazed the top of the crossbar, while Ironside thought he had levelled only for Referee Scott Simpson to award Leamington a free kick.

Brakes were having to do a great deal of defending but they were standing up to the test well, the imperious English having a superb game. There were still opportunities to put the game to bed on the counter attack however, Bishop almost threading a pass through for Murphy, the ball being cleared to half way where Jack Lane worked it back from the touchline towards the penalty area where Obeng saw his shot deflected behind.

Holleran wisely removed Gittings and Edwards from the firing line as tempers began to fray a little and the hosts began to become frustrated in their efforts to turn the game around. They certainly created enough chances but the vast majority of them flew high or wide, Chambers planting a header well off target. Joel Taylor then played an inviting low cross in from the left that was begging to be finished off but the ball zipped across goal behind the attacking Harriers players and the chance was gone.

English produced a superb clearance as the ball ricocheted around the Leamington six yard box once more, while substitute Elliot Hodge stretched his legs soon after being introduced with a driving run and shot that went just the wrong side of the upright.

Austin was Harriers’ shining light despite playing in a defensive position, and he saw a shot deflected over the bar for Kidderminster’s first corner of the afternoon, the Brakes defence clearing their lines well after a brief scramble.

Substitute Reece Flanagan executed a superb crossfield pass from left to right over the head of the last covering defender that would have seen Hodge through on goal but unfortunately the youngster was just unable to take the ball in his stride.

Leamington stood firm as Kidderminster threw everything at them in search of a goal in the closing stages, Breeden silencing the taunts of the home support behind the goal with a spectacular save to deny former loan man Milan Butterfield who thumped a rocket of a shot towards goal after Austin’s cross was only cleared to the edge of the box.

Further effort were directed off target in the time that remained as the hosts were thwarted in their attempts to save the game and possibly their season, while Leamington were able to celebrate their first win on the road since victory at Alfreton towards the end of December, taking them to 50 points and surpassing last seasons total with two games to spare.

Attendance: 1,515

Kidderminster Harriers: Tom Palmer, Sam Austin, Joel Taylor, Harry Flowers (12 Russ Penn, 46), Fraser Horsfall, Ryan Johnson ©, Liam McAlinden (14 Kane Richards, 74), Milan Butterfield, Joe Ironside, Ashley Chambers, Ed Williams.

Subs not used: 15 Harry Higginson, 16 Jaiden White, 17 Josh Heaton.

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Junior English, Connor Gudger, Joe Clarke, James Mace, Jack Lane, Jordan Murphy, Callum Gittings (12 Reece Flanagan, 62), Colby Bishop, Jack Edwards (14 Sam Wilding, 70), Ahmed Obeng (15 Elliot Hodge, 77).

Subs not used: 16 Connor Taylor, 17 Dylan Parker.

Referee: Mr Scott Simpson

Assistant Referees: Mr Leslie Sinclair & Mr Andrew Ellis

Brakes Man of the Match: Junior English.