LITTLETON 2, HARRIERS 0

A YOUTHFUL Harriers side tasted defeat on the opening day of the club’s friendly programme.

The Reds fielded just one first team player in the shape of Freddie Ladapo.

However, they were reduced to ten men after Tristan Dunkley’s dismissal and conceded a goal in each half.

Harriers had a good chance to take the lead after just five minutes when ex-Birmingham City youngster Reece Hales fired wide from 18 yards.

Four minutes later the hosts stole ahead, a deadly ball through the middle dispatched with aplomb over the head of the advancing goalkeeper Brendan Bunn.

Midway through the first half the visitors were a man light after Dunkley, brother of Harriers defender Chey, was sent for an early bath.

The youngster's challenge was late but the instant flash of red seemed a little excessive given the environment and it was an incident that the game, as a spectacle, never really recovered from.

Ladapo had two good opportunities to level the scores before the break, forcing a good save from the keeper at close-range before sending an attempt from the resultant corner off target.

With the second half a lethargic affair, it took until 71 minutes for Littleton to secure their second as they took advantage of some tired defending to double the scores with a low finish.

Ladapo almost salvaged something from the game for his team single-handedly as he fired a number of attempts at goal, finding the home custodian in good form.

Harriers XI squad: Brendan Bunn, Jamie Ashmore, Peter Smith, Jamie Moore, Tryone Williams, David Kalonji, David McDermott, Jake Green, Tristan Dunkley, Reece Hales, Freddie Ladapo.

Bench: Jordan Harrison, Alex Reid, James Geobey, Obed Obeng, Oli Long