Harriers shoot down Tigers (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Harriers shoot down Tigers

4:56pm Saturday 16th February 2013 in News

Hyde 0, Harriers 4

GOAL-hungry Harriers romped to one of their biggest wins of the season as three second half goals stunned Hyde.

Steve Burr's side made a mockery of the Cheshire outfit's solid home record with a convincing victory.

Two goals for Anthony Malbon, one for substitute Greg Pearson on his debut and a brilliant effort by man of the match Marvin  Johnson ensured the Reds overwhelmed the Tigers.

Hyde keeper Chris Dilo also produced a host of saves to keep the away team at bay, while Harriers stopper Danny Lewis made a vital penalty save with the scores at 1-0.

On a narrow pitch which was cutting up it took a while for the away side to settle.

But in the winter sunshine, Harriers tried to take the game to their hosts.

Winger Marvin Johnson had two chances in the early stages after he was set up both times by long passes from Josh Gowling.

First, the wideman broke free down the left but fired into the side netting in the first minute.

Then, he used his pace to get create some space on the right but saw a rising effort well-saved by keeper Chris Dilo, when Malbon and Amari Morgan-Smith were in good positions awaiting a good cross.

But Malbon made it two goals in as many games when he headed in a fine cross from strike partner Amari Morgan-Smith in the 20th minute.

Harriers could have increased their lead when Johnson spear headed a counter-attack but Tunji Moses made a vital block.

Johnson then saw a well-struck low free-kick fizz past the right hand post.

On-loan Macclesfield hitman Morgan-Smith was denied a goal a deserved goal by a superb double save by keeper Chris Dilo.

The Hyde keeper dived to block the striker's fine first time effort. Morgan-Smith smashed in the rebound which hit the shot-stopper as he lay on the floor.

Hyde had barely troubled the visiting defence but they had a slice of luck on 40 minutes when Lee Vaughan was adjudged to have handled Jevons' speculative shot.  The decision for a penalty looked harsh but justice was done when Lewis, who played the first half with the sun in his eyes, guessed right and got a hand to Jevons' lacklustre effort.

Johnson then missed a golden chance to double their lead on the stroke of half-time when he was released by Gowling again.

The wideman sped into the box and beat Dilo but his left- footed effort clipped the bar much to his frustration.

Harriers survived what look a sure fire penalty claim from the home side early in the second half.

Gowling allowed the ball to run away from him and then dragged down Shay McCartan as he broke free in the box but despite the home side's calls for a second spot-kick the referee ignored them.

But two goals in three minutes confirm the Reds' superiority.

First, Johnson grabbed a superb second in the 55th minute when he outpaced the home defence on the left and lashed in a brilliant shot which got the better of Dilo.

Malbon made it 3-0 in the 58th after he pounced on a poor back pass by Kelvin Lomax. Dilo had denied Morgan-Smith but Malbon made sure with a clinical effort.

Things got even better got Harriers in the 67th minute when debut substitute Pearson got the finishing touch to Malbon's shot.

The two-goal hero Malbon was taken off after picking up a knock by top-scorer Ryan Rowe and the substitute nearly added a fifth, only for Dilo to make a superb finger-tip save.

Hyde tried to pile on the pressure but well-drilled Harriers were too tough to break down as they cruised to a 15th win of the season in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Harriers: Lewis, Vaughan, Demetriou, Storer (Pilkington, 77), Vincent, Malbon (Rowe, 70), Johnson, Gittings, Morgan-Smith (Pearson, 67), Dunkley, Gowling.

Subs not used: Williams, N Vaughan.

Hyde: Dilo, Brizell (Anderson, 68), Griffin, Lomax, Ashworth, Allott (Brown, 62), Moses (Spencer, 62)Tomsett, Sedgwick, Jevons, McCartan.

Subs not used: Cassidy, Carnell.

Referee: Richard Martin.

Attendance: 717