Recap: Harriers 2-1 Reading

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A FAMOUS afternoon in the history of Kidderminster Harriers saw the club add another huge FA Cup scalp to its list with a 2-1 win over Reading.

With around 80 places separating the two teams, it looked a daunting task for the Reds on paper, but despite being so far adrift in the standings, Harriers were a match for Royals for the whole afternoon.

While they trailed at half time, the Reds never looked out of it and went on to dominate for much of the second period, notching two goals to turn the tie on its head and create one of the biggest shocks of the afternoon.

The opening stages of the day were decidedly cagey – neither side were giving much away and organisation was very much the order of the day. Luke Simpson made the first real save of the afternoon on

11 minutes, regrouping to make amends for his own sliced clearance as he and Bajrami snuffed out the threat of Puskas and Camara.

It was some 33 minutes in before Hrriers had their first sights of goal – Bajrami having a header before, a minute later, Omari Sterling’s swerving, swirling effort was only kept out by a superb fingertip stop from goalkeeper Cabral.

Harriers looked to be very much in the ascendancy as Carrington then headed over but, a minute further on, Reading had the lead as a sharp run from Puskas saw him nip in and slam home a finish from close range.

At 1-0 down to Championship opposition at half time, many in Harriers’ position might’ve faltered, but the belief never vanished from Russ Penn’s charges who went close with a 53rd minute effort from Sterling that went wide.

Before the hour there were further chances for Austin – who flashed across goal – and Sterling as the atmosphere inside Aggborough was turned up yet another notch.

With 69 on the clock Austin had Harriers level. A deep Penny cross was nodded down to the skipper who got a shot off that looked to have been saved, only for the ball to squirm through the grasp of Cabral and into the net.

It was more cagey stuff after but, notably, it was very much Harriers on top as Reading almost ceased to exist as an attacking force. As bizarre and absurd as it sounds given the distance between the teams, there was actually an inevitability about the winner when it came.

Richards had taken aim with a cross-shot that Cabral did well to nudge aside for a corner – and a corner that caused mayhem as Morgan-Smith, almost on the line and on the goalkeeper, managed to pull over the line with his thigh. How, it mattered not.

Owing to an unfortunate injury to Reading sub Aararuna, there were 12 minutes of injury time to negotiate but Harriers managed it with minimum fuss.

Deep breath – into Round Four and on to Farsley Celtic on Tuesday night. Massive.

Team News and key match facts at The Match Centre.

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