Harriers 1
Torquay 0

THE lights shone down, the Setanta cameras were on and Harriers provided plenty of action as they maintained their excellent run of form on Thursday night.

Harriers produced another robust performance to make it 10 points out of 12 in the Blue Square Premier.

While the win was a continuation of the Aggborough side’s recent resurgence, it also illustrated that in front of the cameras, much like a gifted X-Factor hopeful, they can rise to the occasion when on television.

The home side have have an excellent record when Setanta pay a visit to Worcestershire and have yet to lose at home in the league when they are on the broadcasters.

Once again the young group of players assembled by manager Mark Yates produced a spirited performance, with the team work ethic proving to be their greatest strength.

At the moment the players are working hard for each other and the sum of their parts has generated a much more formidable whole.

Yates picked the same starting 11 that got the better of Rushden and Diamonds on the previous Saturday and his faith paid off, despite a slow start.

Torquay, enduring a poor start to the season after the double disappointment of missing out on promotion and the FA Trophy last season, started strongly and forced a number of free-kicks to put the hosts under pressure.

Left-back Lee Baker was almost punished when he was caught out by a long ball but Torquay winger Wayne Carlisle shot wide.

The hosts though held firm and gradually battled back into the game, which had been marred by a fierce rain shower mid-way through the first half, and had the best chances.

Winger Martin Brittain’s pacey deliveries were also providing an attacking outlet for the hosts and one such effort handed striker Justin Richards a chance.

The powerful striker directed a powerful header downwards but it was straight at keeper Michael Poke, who got down well to make the save.

Harriers cranked up the pressure and fine play by Brian Smikle allowed Barnes-Homer to get free in the box and fire in a fierce drive, which Poke got behind purposefully.

But the home team went 1-0 ahead in the 43rd minute, with Brittain once again the provider.

The Geordie’s right foot has the accuracy of a sniper rifle and generates more curve than Marilyn Monroe and he supplied the perfect low cross when the home side counter-attacked.

He raced onto Russ Penn’s pass, skipped past a sliding challenge from Lee Mansell and delivered a low cross, which Barnes-Homer, who had made an excellent supporting run, slotted into the back of the net.

In the second half Harriers weathered the pressure and despite the Gulls carving out several half chances they did not threaten keeper Adam Bartlett’s goal.

Chris Hargreaves directed an effort off target but it was the home side who looked more capable of doubling their lead.

Richards produced another bustling display to unsettle Torquay’s defence, while Barnes-Homer headed Brittain’s cross over the bar.

With 20 minutes to go the fearless Ferrell was taken off with a nasty gash to his head which needed five stitches.

Torquay substitute Elliot Benyon came closest to prising open stubborn Harriers near the end.

The 16-year-old skipped down the right wing and delivered a low cross that Bartlett blocked and captain Mark Creighton headed behind.

Keith Lowe, who signed a one-year contract at Harriers earlier in the week, also cleared the young forward’s searching ball with an overhead kick.

Bartlett then ensured all three points and when he dived low to his left to stop Mansell’s 30-yard effort, which had skidded through a crowded area.

Harriers: Bartlett 7; Baker 7; Ferrell 7 (Bennett, 76); Creighton 8; Jones 8; Barnes-Homer 7; Penn 7; Richards 8; Smikle 9; Brittain 7 (McDermott, 92); Lowe 8.

Torquay: Poke; Nicholson; Woods; Robertson; Mansell; Sills (Benyon, 81); D'Sane (Green, 63); Hargreaves; Hodges (Carayol, 72); Carlisle; Ellis.

Referee: R Lewis (Shropshire). Attendance: 1,345

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