Harriers pick up a first three-point haul of the National League season…
By Matty Paddock - 12/08/2023
Posted 2 years ago
A SOLID away performance gave Harriers a first win of the season as a late Amari Morgan-Smith goal was enough to see off York City.
Harriers were well worth the three points, having been on top in the first half of the encounter and defended superbly in the second 45.
Amari Morgan-Smith grabbed the first goal since our National League return, and the three points would’ve represented the perfect day for 181 travelling fans were it not for injury concerns over more players. Zak Brown and Matt Preston were forced off injured with Harriers having to assess their fitness ahead of Tuesday’s trip to AFC Fylde.
At York, the hosts had the first chance of the day as the lively Castro shot at Dibble, who held well.
On 21 minutes after Ashley Hemmings had stolen the ball from City, he supplied Zak Brown on the edge of the area who saw a shot closed down – before a follow-up went wide.
More serious chances fell the way of the visitors before the break. Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain’s far-post header was wide of the target from close range, before Morgan-Smith’s powerful half-volley forced a good save from David Stockdale.
Brown for that matter might’ve had Harriers ahead on the stroke of the interval as he looked to tap in from close range, only for a covering defender to deflect the effort over the bar.
As Harriers set about seeing off an increased York threat after the restart, chances were reduced to an absolute premium at both ends – Maz Kouhyar curling wide of the post from 18 yards after getting back his own corner.
The boys had to remain patient, and with seven minutes of normal time remaining, that patience was rewarded. Joe Leesley whipped in a corner, and after players from both sides took turns to try and get on the end of it, Morgan-Smith eventually nodded it against the bar and over the line.
As we ticked over into injury time, York had a big chance to level by forcing Dibble into his only serious stop of the day – Kouhyar again on the end of it as his shot from inside the area was parried away and eventually cleared.
Harriers preserved their clean sheet through what was eventually nearly ten minutes of added time to get the result.
Get the full team news and key match facts at The Match Centre.
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