Harriers 3
Vauxhall 1

YOUNG guns Matthew Barnes-Homer and Michael McGrath made sure the wheels did not fall of Kidderminster Harriers' FA Cup aspirations by inspiring the stalling team to a hard fought win on Saturday.

Harriers' hopes of progressing into the first round had seemed to break down when Motors took a 1-0 lead into half-time.

But the inclusion of Michael McGrath at half-time helped Harriers find fifth gear in the second half book a first round clash with Ryman League Division One North side Ware on November.

Even more importantly victory over a spirited but inferior Motors side made sure Harriers pocketed a £10,000 pay cheque and gives them the opportunity to reap more financial rewards in later rounds.

Despite Harriers recent poor form in the Blue Square Premier and a wave of injuries on paper this game looked like a mis-match between Harriers' mis-firing sports coupe and the Division One North struggler's Morris Minors.

Harriers came out the strong team and parked in Vauxhall's half in order to grab and early goal in order to settle their nerves.

Vauxhall grew more confident as the minutes ticked by and with the lively front pairing of David Roberts and Paul Taylor looked capable of worrying the home team's creaking defence.

Goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie did well to hold onto Roberts' effort after he had got past Stuart Whitehead, before Taylor saw a long range effort sail over the bar.

But Harriers had the best chances, with Mark Creighton forcing keeper Sean Lake into an acrobatic save after he directed a powerful header on target in the 21st minute.

Moments later Barnes-Homer missed a glorious chance Michael Blackwood hood Andy Ferrell's delivery across goal, only for the young striker to shoot wide from close range.

Unfortunately Harriers' defensive frailties were all too apparent and Vauxhall found a lot of joy opening up their rivals on the break.

MacKenzie did well to deny Taylor after he had waded through more poor Harriers marking in the 31st minute.

Sixty seconds later it looked Harriers FA Cup dream had got stuck on the hard shoulder when the home team have the ball away on the halfway line, allowing Roberts to latch onto the ball, race towards goal and slot the ball underneath Harriers' despairing keeper.

The home side tried in vain to find a goal before half-time but and Russ Penn had an effort disallowed because Justin Richards fouled a defender in during the build-up.

Instead Motors had more chances to hit them on the break, much to the frustration of the home fans, who booed the home team off at half-time.

Harriers boss Mark Yates wasted little time in reshuffling his out of sorts side, bringing on McGrath for the ineffective Jonny Harkness, which allowed Michael Blackwood to drop to left back.

The change gave Harriers much more balance and with Blackwood and Paul Bignot bombing forward allowed the home team to really turn the screws on Motors.

McGrath's reputation as a super-sub has been steadily increasing after a series of strong performances in recent weeks and he did his chances of earning a start a power of good with an effervescent display.

But it was another young gun, Barnes-Homer, who put his side back on level terms when he headed Paul Bignot's cross into the back of the net.

It was a deserved goal for the young hitman, who has stepped into injured top scorer James Constable's boots in recent weeks. The former Wolverhampton junior worked hard alongside industrious strike partner Justin Richards.

He showed glimpses of his ability once again when he instinctively pipped a high pass into Richards' path but the big striker volleyed the ball over the bar.

Richards got his name on the scoresheet when in the 76th minute.

McGrath delivered an excellent cross, which Michael Blackwood flicked on, and Richards planted a header beyond Lake.

Richards and Barnes-Homer then turned providers in the 86th minute by combining to lay the ball across the box to McGrath, who finished with aplomb.

Brian Smikle also had a good disallowed, set up by McGrath, for offside in the final minutes as Harriers turned a banana skin into a £10,000 silk purse.

Harriers: MacKenzie 7; Harkness 6 (McGrath, 45mins, 8); Creighton 6; Whitehead 6; Penn 6; Richards 7; Blackwood 6; Smikle 6; Ferrell 6; Bignot 6; BARNES-HOMER 8.

Vauxhall Motors: Lake; Hitchen (Wignall, 80mins); Marsh-Evans; Field; Kelly; Hotte(c) (Wright, 85mins); Garrity; Heler; Roberts; Johnson (Dame, 68mins); Taylor.

Referee: R Merchant (Staffs). Attendance: 1121.