Harriers 2, Welling 1

TWO first half goals ensued Harriers got back to winning ways and ended Welling's resurgence on Wednesday night.

A well hit effort from Jared Hodgkiss and an opportunistic strike by Chey Dunkley ensured Gary Whild's troops recorded their first win in three games.

Victory was also televised on BT Sport and Kidderminster produced an improved display compared to Saturday's lacklustre draw with Telford.

The game also attracted a 200 strong contingent from local rivals Hereford United, who took advantage of the cameras to highlight their club's financial plight with some lively chanting and banners.

Whild made two changes from the side which drew with Telford.  With Josh Gowling suspended after picking up five yellow cards, Jamie Grimes was drafted into central defence.

Up front, Craig Reid was preferred to partner Michael Gash, with Reece Styche dropping to the bench.

Welling came into the match on the back of a five game unbeaten run but Kidderminster took control with two first half goals.

The game was still settling down when the hosts opened the scoring in the 14th minute.

A cross was cleared only as far as Hodgkiss on the edge of the box and he flashed a right-footed effort into the bottom corner.

Welling responded by piling pressure the pressure on but Harriers held firm.

Midfielder Jamie Day came close with a well-struck long range effort which swerved wickedly and rebounded off the angle of the upright.

Defender Jamal Fyfield also directed a header wide from a corner.

But Kidderminster looked comfortable and punished an error by Welling keeper Jon Henley in the 39th minute.

Kevin Nicholson delivered a brilliant free-kick into the corridor of uncertainty and the visitors flustered stopper rushed out to punch the ball into the wall and see the ball ricochet into the back of the net.

While there was some confusion about who scored, the goal was awarded to Chey Dunkley, although it hit the luckless Fyfield as it went in.

Henley's poor evening was compounded was just before the break when he rushed out and fouled Reid, receiving a yellow card for his troubles.

Welling were forced to make a change early in the second half when Arisitide Bassele replaced the injured Louis Fazarkerly.

But the away side pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute when Harry Beautyman finished from close range after a good run by Ben Jefford.

Harriers made their first change in the 62nd minute when Callum Gittings replaced Aman Verma.

Towering centre forward Nathan Blissett also came on for Gash.

Reid had a chance for the hosts In the 73rd minute but headed a Nicholson free-kick into the keeper's arms.

Substitute Blissett the came agonisingly close to a third goal in the 73rd minute. The big forward flung himself at Nicholson's corner but nodded just wide.

With the game reaching 90 minutes, Welling increased the pressure in search of a leveller.

Danny Lewis saved well from a Baselle header from a corner but Harriers held on to inflict Welling's first defeat in six games.

Harriers: Lewis, Hodgkiss, Storer, Dunkley, Byrne, Johnson, Gash (Blissett, 67), Reid,  Grimes, Verma (Gittings, 62), Nicholson.

Subs not used: Green, Styche, Obeng.

Welling: Henly, Fazakerley (Baselle, 48), Fyfield, Fagan (Hudson, 87), Bush, Beautyman, Marsh, Jefford, Williams, Day, Healey.

Subs not used: Turner, Nouble, Corne.

Referee: Craig Hick (Surrey) Attendance: 1562 (212)