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Recap: Harriers 1-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)

A look back at a foggy afternoon at Aggborough Stadium…

By Matty Paddock - 21/01/2023

Posted 3 years ago

Harriers 1-1 Bradford (Park Avenue). Pic (C) KHFC

AMARI Morgan-Smith’s screamer gave Harriers a share of the spoils in a home clash with Bradford (Park Avenue) at Aggborough.

Harriers had begun the game brightly and almost netted as early as the eighth minute when Ashley Hemmings was afforded time and space to move forward with the ball, striking from distance and drawing George Sykes-Kenworthy into a save at his far post.

Kai Lissimore was an energetic force in midfield throughout and forced a 12th minute corner when his rising shot was deflected over the bar – Tom Owen-Evans then hitting wide after good play from Ethan Freemantle.

Even Nathaniel Knight-Percival, back in the starting line-up at long last, was getting in on the act when his 29th minute effort was turned aside by Sykes-Kenworthy, the central defender then stabbing just wide from six yards at the resulting corner.

Despite that early pressure it was Bradford who took a 32nd minute lead with what was the only shot they’d have at goal all afternoon. They won the ball back in midfield and, after two ricochets on the edge of the area, Jordan Preston made no mistake in smashing the ball into the net.

Harriers might well have equalised just a few minutes later but Freemantle nodded over a Bearne cross – the skipper firing over, and not by a lot, soon after the restart.

The second half saw the game descend into a farcical spectacle in many respects thanks to a freezing fog that lowered itself over Aggborough during the afternoon and thickened as play went on.

Despite that, Harriers always looked to go forward and, after Owen-Evans again went close, the equaliser arrived with 16 minutes to play. Joe McGlynn had put surging run together as a sub and saw his shot blocked, the ball falling nicely for Morgan-Smith who steadied himself before finding the net with a superb bicycle kick from 18 yards.

Ten minutes later, Morgan-Smith almost won it for Harriers, confidently firing in a shot from inside the area that beat Sykes-Kenworthy but, agonisingly, also his post.

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