A heart-breaking end to an incredible FA Cup run..
By Matty Paddock - 06/02/2022
Posted 4 years ago
HARRIERS were denied a place in FA Cup immortality in the most heart-breaking fashion as Premier League giants West Ham stole a Fourth Round victory deep in extra time.
The Reds had already more than upset the applecart by taking the lead against the Hammers and dominating much of the tie, if not the ball.
Alex Penny’s 19th minute strike sent Aggborough into scenes of near meltdown – the majority of another 5,000 strong crowd firmly behind their players as a ball into the box was flapped at by the goalkeeper, the defender calmly slotting it home.
Harriers had already gone close before that through Sam Austin’s low shot and, after taking the lead, managed to keep their illustrious opposition at bay, though conceding the lion’s share of possession. A Nathan Cameron header from a corner dropped wide not long before the break.
Come the hour, Bowen for West Ham had a crucial chance to level the scores but was denied by an expert block by Luke Simpson – the Harriers stopper in turn on hand to save from Benrahma’s effort soon after.
As absolutely bonkers as it seemed, the home side’s fans were all but celebrating what would have been the biggest shock in the Cup’s long, illustrious history – only for West Ham to strike a dagger of a blow in the 91st minute. Sub Declan Rice showed his evident, undoubted quality as he danced his way into the area, showing unnerving composure as he blasted past Simpson into the roof of the net.
With extra time rather than a replay to follow, many expected the Premier League outfit to win at a canter with 30 more minutes to play and with Harriers on their knees. The spirit the team had shown to get to that point continued to shine through, though, and looked to have just about seen out the task of pulling West Ham into penalties when lightning struck twice again.
This time it was even more cruel – 13 seconds to go until what would’ve been the end of extra time when the ball was rolled to the far post where Bowen was on hand to side-foot it home to almost apologetic celebrations from players and fans.
Far from blown away, far from dominated and far from embarrassed, it was Kidderminster Harriers who won the day, even if they’d lost the tie.
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