Harriers 2, Stalybridge Celtic 1

TEN man Harriers recorded their first home win of the season but did it the hard way in a tense affair against spirited Stalybridge.

The hosts had looked on course for a comfortable win after cruising to 2-0 in the first half thanks to goals for Mani Dieseruvwe and Tyrone Williams.

But Celtic hit back after the break when Nick Ryan pulled one back.

To make matters worse, Ash Carter was sent off after losing his temper in the centre circle.

But John Eustace's Young troops held on to delivery the first three points of the campaign at Aggborough.

Harriers were unchanged from the side that defeated Nuneaton 2-0 in mid week but they did welcome summer signing Wayne Thomas onto the bench after he overcame an injury.

They faced a Celtic side with a slew of players missing because if injury, including Jimmy Ball, Paul Foy, John Shaw and Matty Hughes.

Such was the the away side's spies they could only field four players on the bench.

Harriers started the game brightly and faced a side content to sit back and put up two banks of five.

Celtic had very little desire to go forward as they defended as if their lives depended on it from the first minute with a series of blocks and interceptions.

It seemed a matter of time that a Kidderminster goal would come and it happened in the 15th minute.

Keith Lowe's long range shot ricocheted into the path of Dieseruvwe, who lashed home a fine effort from the edge of the box.

Right-back Tyrone Williams made it 2-0 in the 35th, heading home emphatically from a well-taken Arthur Gnahoua corner.

Gnahoua could have made it 3-0 a minute into the second half when he beat the offside trap and burst into the box but instead of shooting, he pulled the back back and Celtic cleared.

Harriers looked in complete control but saw their lead halved against the run of in the 52nd minute.

The hosts conceded a free-kick and substitute Nick Ryan prodded home at the far post.

The home side were indebted to keeper Sam Hornby, who show great reactions to deny Steve Tames's bullet header.

To make matters worse, Kiddy were reduced to ten men in the 66th minute when Ash Carter was given a red card after scuffling with Celtic substitute Farrell and squaring up to Aaron Chalmers.

Harriers handed a debut to new addition Ryan Croasdale, who had previously played for Celtic, when he replaced Gnahoua in the 70th minute.

McQuilkin then saw a 20-yard effort skid wide.

Harriers wideman Tyrell Waite nearly bagged a third for the home side in the 80th minute, when he cut in from the right with menace and fired goalwards, forcing keeper Tony McMillan to push it over the bar.

Thomas was handed his competitive Harriers debut in the 84th minute when he replaced Elton Ngwatala in an effort to shore up the hosts.

The big defender made several timely headed clearances as Harriers recorded a third win of the season.

Harriers: Hornby, Williams, Francis-Angol, Carter, Lowe, Tunnicliffe, Waite, McQuilkin, Dieseruvwe, Ngwatala (Thomas, 84), Gnahoua (Croasdale, 70).

Subs not used: Austin, Truslove, Brown.

Stalybridge: McMillan, Wylie, Kelly, Chalmers, Ryan, Platt (Pilkington, 46 (Sherlock, 68), Hynes, Wisdom, Owens (Farrell, 39), Tames, Mukendi.

Subs not used: Bagshaw, Sherlock.

Referee: Ricky Wootton Attendance: