Recap: Harriers 0-0 Alvechurch

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A GOALLESS draw with Alvechurch provided another worthwhile run-out for Harriers as Paul Wotton’s preparations for the new National League season continued at Aggborough.

There was little to separate the sides on the scoresheet, but Harriers produced the better of the first-half openings and enjoyed long spells of pressure before wholesale changes after the interval saw the contest lose some of its rhythm.

Alvechurch fashioned the first opportunity on 13 minutes when Manny Ilesanmi threatened twice in quick succession. Josh Bishop produced a brave stop from the initial effort before Ilesanmi glanced the rebound wide.

Harriers responded well and Lewis Walker was the first to test Redman Evans on 18 minutes, spinning smartly inside the penalty area from a corner before seeing his shot lack the power to trouble the goalkeeper.

The chances continued to come. Five minutes later, Walker combined neatly with Max Brogan, whose intelligent pass released David Davis. The midfielder struck well but Evans tipped the effort over the crossbar, and although Cian Harries headed home from the resulting corner, the assistant referee’s flag was already raised for offside.

Callum Dolan came within a whisker of opening the scoring on 27 minutes, meeting Reece Devine’s corner with a firm header that flashed across goal and narrowly beyond the far post.

Another good opening followed on 33 minutes when a fine cross found Ollie Tipton unmarked at the far post, only for Evans to stand firm and make the save from a tight angle.

Walker was denied again five minutes later, directing a deep cross goalwards with a well-placed header before Evans reacted sharply to keep it out, while Owen Evans tried his luck from distance on 40 minutes, his swerving strike drifting just wide.

Harriers continued to threaten after the restart and Richard Faakye almost broke the deadlock on 52 minutes, powering a header towards goal that was either saved or blocked on its way through.

Alvechurch’s best second-half chance arrived on 59 minutes when substitute Callum Sullivan’s angled effort took a slight deflection before running just past the post.

As changes on both sides disrupted the flow of the contest, clear-cut opportunities became less frequent. Jack Kelly’s corner on 74 minutes drifted safely over Bishop’s crossbar before the Harriers goalkeeper was called into action again 10 minutes later, producing a strong save to keep out Kelly’s swerving effort.

Harriers had one final opportunity to snatch victory in stoppage time when Seb Thompson’s dipping free kick tested substitute goalkeeper Josh Murtagh, but he was well positioned to gather as the sides settled for a goalless draw.

Up next for Harriers in pre-season is a final runout at Stourbridge on Saturday, 3pm.

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