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Recap: Harriers 1-2 Brackley

A look back at Tuesday night’s home defeat to Brackley Town….

By Matty Paddock - 14/02/2023

Posted 3 years ago

Amari Morgan-Smith. Pic (C) Adrian Hoskins

BRACKLEY Town netted late to secure all three points in a 2-1 win over Harriers at Aggborough.

After a below-par first period, the Reds were resurgent after the break and looked on course to push on at 1-1 and win the game, Amari Morgan-Smith’s eighth goal of the season having given them deserved parity.

A goal six minutes from time put paid to those hopes, though, despite Morgan-Smith’s dramatic chance to win it deep in added time.

Harriers had begun the game brightly and had a serious shout for a penalty in the opening minutes after handball in the area, but those appeals were waved away. Brackley netted on 11 minutes when Sam Smart volleyed home after a free kick was cleared to the edge of the area.

Tom Palmer saved well from James Armson’s header later in the half as Brackley searched for a second, but come the restart there was only really one side in the ascendancy. All before the goal that came on 58 minutes, Lissimore had seen a shot blocked wide, Morgan-Smith had headed an effort on to the bar and a Freemantle saw an attempt headed away from the goal line.

The equaliser was more incisive play. Pearce’s excellent delivery was taken down perfectly by Freemantle, but his shot was straight at Danny Lewis in goal. The ball was worked back to Owen-Evans who drilled across to Foulkes who in turn hit a shot off the bar, Morgan-Smith on hand to fire home the loose ball.

Harriers had two chances to win it. On 69 minutes Byrne’s free kick found Morrison at the far post who couldn’t quite direct a finish on target, before Hemmings, on 81, drove into the side netting after charging into the area.

The killer blow came as Matwasa took the ball into the Harriers box on 84 minutes. Byrne managed to stop him but the ball ran free to Callum Stead who tucked it firmly into the bottom corner of the net.

The one chance that fell Harriers’ way after that came with literally the last kick of the tie. An ideal Foulkes delivery was nudged on to Pearce, Morgan-Smith then taking a touch but scooping a shot just over the bar.

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