Harriers 2, Hyde 1

HITMEN Michael Gash and Anthony Malbon gave their confidence a boost as Harriers edged past Skrill Premier bottom side Hyde on Saturday.

The old adage that three points means more than the performance summed up this scrappy game.

Hyde gave Harriers problems with their neat passing and ability to hold possession but their fallibility at the back was punished by Malbon and Gash.

The poaching pair scored 21 goals apiece last season but they have yet to hit those heights as they both made it two each.

But there were pleasing signs they are getting back to their best.

Malbon opened his account for the season at home in the third minute, chasing down Josh Gowling’s long ball, before outwitting defender Luke Ashworth and curling a left footed effort into the top corner.

It looked as though the hosts may fill their boots against the naive visitors but they were dragged back in the 15th minute against the run of play.

Tom Collins was allowed to run at goal and too easily beat keeper Nathan Vaughan from the edge of the area.

Hyde looked comfortable but were the architects of their own downfall when the hapless Ashworth brought down Malbon in the centre circle.

Lee Fowler delivered an accurate free-kick and Gash was unchallenged as he rose to head home at the far post in the 34th minute.

In terms of action, there was little else. Keeper David Carnell made a double save to deny Malbon and Danny Jackman.

Hyde did not have the guile to truly open up Kidderminster and their best chance came early in the second-half, when Vaughan showed good reactions to parry’s Collins’s stinging effort.

On his goal, Malbon said: “To be honest I chased a lost cause down and managed to get it under control.

“I would say my left foot is better than my right at the moment because I tried a few with my right and went it into the stand.

“But we got the three points and that is all that matters.”

Harriers: N Vaughan 6, L Vaughan 6, Demetriou 6, Gowling 7, DUNKLEY 8, Dance 6 (Johnson 60), Storer 6, Fowler 6, Jackman 6, Malbon 7 (Gittings 90+2), Gash 6 (Morgan-Smith 74). Subs not used: Lewis, Angus.

Hyde: Carnell, Brizell, Griffin, Haining, Ashworth, Blakeman, Mainwaring (Dieserjvwe 54), Brown, Poole (Spencer 54), Collins (Almond 58), Hughes. Subs not used: , Frith.

Referee: Paul Rees (Bristol).

Attendance: 1,607.