Harriers 3, Nuneaton 0

GOALS from Mani Sonupe, Joe Ironside and Liam Truslove handed Harriers victory over nine-man Nuneaton.

It was a case of too many cards this Christmas for the visitors as captain Ryan Beswick and midfielder Tom Elliott both saw red in the first half.

Despite not being at their best, Harriers took advantage to pick up the points at Aggborough and make it nine games unbeaten.

The clash started slowly after being halted after just two minutes so defender Tyrone Williams could receive lengthy treatment after a heavy collision when he tried to pounce on a loose ball outside the area.

However, when the contest did get going again it quickly became a scrappy affair.

Only a weak effort from Beswick and a deflected Elton Ngwatala drive was all either side could muster.

Harriers just couldn't get into a rhythm. Too often they were sloppy in possession as wayward passes stalled any build-up play.

It took an uncharacteristic long ball over the top for Reds to break the deadlock on the half hour mark.

Brandon Hall's quick ball forward was allowed to bounce by the Nuneaton defence. Sonupe beat Luther Wildin to the ball before firing through the legs of the outrushing Lyness.

Nuneaton continued to work hard to limit any more openings but their task got harder before the break when midfielder Tom Elliott was given his marching orders on 42 minutes after picking up two bookings in a matter of minutes.

Matters got worse when Beswick was handed a straight red for a late lunge of Declan Weeks mid-way inside the Kidderminster half.

There was still time for James McQuilkin to blaze well over the bar as the Reds had to settle for a one-goal lead but a two-man advantage into half time.

The hosts came out quickly looking for that second goal and go it from the penalty spot after just seven minutes.

Joel Taylor burst into the box after collecting a short corner and was fouled by Ashley Chambers.

Former Nuneaton marksman Ironside stepped up to convert for his 15th of the season.

McQuilkin was then denied by his own team-mate as Ironside got in the way of his goal-bound drive on 55 minutes.

Harriers were soon in control with sub Liam Truslove almost making an immediate impact when forcing Lyness to save just past the hour mark.

Sonupe then fizzed an effort across the face of goal on 67 minutes as the home side struggled to add a third.

There was more to cheer for Kidderminster fans, however, when Lee Vaughan make his Reds reappearance after overcoming the broken leg he suffered before his summer move from Tranmere.

Vaughan almost set-up Ngwatala with 15 minutes left on the clock but the attacker's header drifted wide of the far post.

Harriers finally got their third when Sonupe escaped down the left before crossing low for Truslove to finish three minutes from time.

Harriers now head into the first instalment of a double against Telford United on Boxing Day.

Harriers: Hall, Pearson, Taylor, Croasdale (c), Horsfall, Williams (Austin 45), Weeks (Vaughan 70), McQuilkin (Truslove 61), Ironside, Ngwatala, Sonupe.

Unused subs: Brown, Wright.

Nuneaton: Lyness, Wildin, Heaton, Elliott, Ashton (Dielna 55), Gascoigne, Ferry, Beswick (c), Chambers, Nicholson, Nti (McFarlane 68).

Unused subs: Daniels, Taylor, Mitchell.

Att: 1,510 (53)