Harriers 1
Hereford 0

DARRYL Knights pounced to give Harriers the perfect start to their friendly campaign with a 1-0 win over Hereford at Aggborough.

The game proved to be a good work out for Harriers, with manager Mark Yates fielding 21 players over the 90 minutes.

He also got to have a look at a host of trialists, and saw impressive performances from hopefuls Mike Bowler, Keith Lowe, David McDermott and Martin Brittain.

Harriers were handed the perfect start in the third minute when new permanent signing Knights pounced on a defensive slip-up by Hereford.

Keeper Darren Randolph, on a season's loan from Championship side Charlton, was left stranded by Kris Taylor's weak pass-back and the young striker had the prescence of mind to steal the ball off him and tap it into the back of the net.

Brittain looked lively and threatened to open up the Bulls with a series of dangerous crosses from the right wing.

Harriers were forced to make an early change in the 10th minute when Luke Jones, a new addition from Shrewsbury, was replaced by trialist defender Martin Riley after picking up a knock on his knee.

The visitors battled back into the game but lacked cutting edge, with Simon Johnson and Garry Breen both heading wide.

But the home side turned up the heat as the first half wore on and Justin Richards saw an effort blocked by Breen.

Randolph made up for his earlier mistake with three acrobatic saves, denying Knights, McDermott and a 30-yard screamer from Brittain.

At half-time Yates made ten changes to his team, which affected the flow of the game.

Neither side could find a way through but Harriers grew in confidence as the second half wore on.

Substitute keeper Adam Barlett, a new signing from Blythe Spartans in the summer, was rarely troubled but he was made to work by Taylor's hanging cross from the left wing.

Of the trialists that came on for the hosts at half-time, former Weymouth man Gavin McCallum was the most impressive and tested keeper Craig Sampson with a long-range effort.

Barlett then turned Jack MacLeod's shot around the bar in the 64th minute. He was beaten by substitutes Clint Easton's swirling free-kick minutes later but Riley headed behind to safety.

As the half wore on Harriers looked capable of scoring a second goal and McCallum delivered a raking low cross that Marco Adaggio was a fraction too late for when he slid into the box.

MacCallum also forced a good save from replacement shot-stopper Craig Sampson after a running the length of the pitch.

Matthew Barnes-Homer could have doubled the hosts lead late on after Brian Smikle had instigated a counter-attack but he curled a shot wide of the far post.

Harriers first half: Dean Coleman; Andy Ferrell; Keith Lowe; Luke Jones (Martin Riley, 10); Darryl Knights; Russell Penn; Justin Richards; Michael McGrath; Martin Brittain; David McDermott.

Substitutes: Paul Bignot; Simon Russell; Matthew Barnes-Homer; Adam Barlett; Brian Smikle; Martin Riley; Sam Foley; Darryl Taylor; Marco Adaggio; Gavin McCallum.

Harriers second half: Adam Barlett; Brian Smikle; Paul Bignot; Martin Riley; Marco Adaggio; Simon Russell; Matthew Barnes-Homer; Gavin McCallum; Darryl Taylor; Sam Foley; Mike Bowler.

Hereford: Darren Randolph (Craig Sampson); Paul Reid (Lewis Hunt); Kris Taylor; Michael Dobson Toumani Dagouraga; Garry Breen (Richard Rose); Karl Broadhurst (Dean Beckwith); Simon Johnson (Jack McLeod); Ben Smith (Craig Jones); Steve Guinan (Christan Gbale); Bradley Hudson-Odoi; Matt Done (Clint Easton).

Substitutes: Lewis Hunt; Craig Sampson (gk); Dean Beckwith; Richard Rose; Jack McLeod; Toumani Diagouraga; Clint Easton; Christian Gbalel Craig Jones.

Referee: Andy Hendley (West Midlands). Attendance: 661.

Click here to see a picture gallery from the game.