Recap: Harriers 6-2 Morecambe

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HARRIERS produced a ruthless performance under the Aggborough lights to sweep past National League Morecambe 6-2 and secure their place in the Fifth Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy.

The tone was set inside three minutes as Harriers burst forward from the outset. In the third minute, Reece Devine picked up the ball on the left and, using the outside of his boot, bent a superb effort across goal and into the far corner to give the hosts an early lead with the goalkeeper well beaten.

Harriers continued to play on the front foot and came close to doubling the advantage five minutes later when Ryley Reynolds met a lifted cross, guiding a header just over after adjusting well to a ball that arrived slightly behind him.

David Davis then showed sharp control in the 12th minute to take the ball in stride and race clear of the back line, his effort from 20 yards flashing narrowly over the bar.

Morecambe threatened on the break midway through the half, with Ben Tollitt finding space on 21 minutes, but his effort drifted wide.

That moment was quickly punished and, on 24 minutes, Harriers struck again. Owen Evans delivered an excellent ball into the area and, with the visitors failing to deal with it, Emeka Obi was left with the freedom of Aggborough at the far post to nudge home and make it 2-0.

The pressure continued to tell and Harriers were soon running riot. On 28 minutes, Davis won possession high up the pitch and George Walker broke into the area.  The loose ball fell kindly for Toby Onanaye, making his first start for the club, and the midfielder showed great composure to fire a low finish into the net for his maiden Harriers goal.

Morecambe pulled one back from the penalty spot on 31 minutes when Joe Foulkes was penalised inside the area and Admiral Muskwe converted, but Harriers remained in full control of proceedings. Foulkes soon delivered another dangerous ball into the box and Davis unleashed a powerful drive that the goalkeeper did well to parry.

Davis was then inches away from adding his name to the scoresheet just before the break, robbing the defence once more in the 45th minute and racing through one on one, only for his effort to thunder against the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.

Harriers were not to be denied and added two more goals in stoppage time. In the second minute of added time, Walker’s cross was met with real conviction by Paul Kalambayi, who powered home at the far post to make it 4-1. Moments later, the pressure told again as Onanaye saw a shot blocked, but Reynolds reacted sharply to smash the rebound into the net and send Harriers into the interval with a commanding 5-1 lead.

The hosts showed no sign of easing off after the restart. Davis went close again early in the second half, lifting an effort over from 18 yards, before Harriers struck for a sixth time in the 51st minute. A corner was not properly cleared and Kalambayi was once again alert at the far post to finish and cap an outstanding night for the defender.

Reynolds continued to trouble the visitors and was unlucky not to win a penalty on 71 minutes after bursting through and charging down the goalkeeper, with the referee ruling the challenge fair.

Morecambe threatened sporadically, with Joe Nuttall glancing a header over the bar before Miguel Azeez produced a smart turn and finish from distance on 83 minutes to reduce the arrears.

Christian Dibble was then called upon in the closing stages, recovering well in the 90th minute after slipping to make an excellent block and ensure Harriers closed the tie out in style.

Six different scorers, relentless attacking play and a clinical edge in front of goal underlined a statement victory, as Harriers emphatically booked their place in the next round of the competition.

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