A look back to a frustrating day at Aggborough…
By Matty Paddock - 29/01/2022
Posted 4 years ago
HARRIERS were held to a rare goalless draw as they played out a stalemate against Gloucester City at Aggborough.
The struggling Tigers came and worked hard, putting in a disciplined display to not only frustrate the home side, but also go close to snatching three points themselves.
It might have been an altogether different affair, however, had Sam Austin been an inch or two to the left or right with his tremendous long-range effort in just the third minute. Surging towards the area with the ball, he let fly with an effort we’ve typically seen fly into the top corner this season – this time visiting goalkeeper Cole was there to thwart him with a strong palm that turned the ball on to the bar.
That was realistically one of the closest opportunities of the game for Harriers as the game degenerated into a scrappy affair. Alex Penny did try and angle one into the net from 12 yards after ten minutes but hit wide, while Bajrami saw a header cleared off the line eight minutes later.
Before the half hour Austin again went close but lacked the power with his shot to trouble Cole, before Hemmings did similar with a header back across goal that drifted off target.
Six after the restart Cole was again called into action, showing great reactions to tip over a header from one of his own defenders after Preston had planted an effort right into the mix.
Not long after and within the space of just two minutes, Gloucester had two premium chances to snatch the lead – only denied by some supreme defending and goalkeeping. First, Matt Green had been played through on goal and beat the offside trap. Preston made a charging covering run and his inch-perfect tackle, aided by Simpson’s block, kept the danger out. Simpson was entirely more responsible for ruining Green’s afternoon just seconds later, throwing his feet to deny the striker as he looked to tap home a simple cross after Harriers had again been left exposed.
After that, Harriers weathered any further Gloucester storm – although maybe without their usual swagger – and kept an important clean sheet.
Get full team line-ups and key match facts at The Match Centre.
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