Harriers impress against Wolves

While the home side did not score they dominated the game and in an impressive second half were denied by the woodwork twice.

Despite seeing their three-game winning run in pre-season ended, there was plenty for the management to think over after after the match.

Once again a host of trialists aiming to earn a deal at the club did their best to impress manager Mark Yates.

He started with a side containing a mix of contracted players and hopefuls.

Gavin Caines, who played for Oxford United in the week, returned to Harriers to play alongside Martin Riley in central defence, while Duane Courtney played at left-back and Scunthorpe hopeful Joe Wilcox featured on the right of defence.

In midfield, Chris McPhee, Gavin Strachan and David McDermott were on patrol, while Darryl Knights played behind a front two of Matthew Barnes-Homer and Rob Elvins.

Youthful Wolves field many academy players but there was a sprinkling of experience with Darren Ward, Neill Collins and Jason Shackell, all of whom had first team experience.

Harriers had the first shot when Courtney fired a wayward 20-yard effort well off target in the tenth minute.

Darryl Knights came close in the 15th minute when he exchanged passes cleverly with McPhee and hammered a low shot a fraction wide of keeper Richard Woolley's right hand post.

Wolves' young cubs bared their teeth a minute later when Ashley Hemmings raced onto Kyle Bennett's through ball but shot across the face of goal.

Harriers were starting to have the best of the game but keeper Dean Coleman had to get down smartly to save Hemmings' hard strike in the 25th minute.

Gavin Strachan had a chance but his 25-yard free-kick was easily caught by Woolley Coleman made a second comfortable save in the 32nd minute when he got to Elliott Bennett's effort.

Bennett then wasted a good chance when he side-footed wide after Harriers failed to close down dangerman Hemmings moments later.

Striker Matthew Barnes-Homer flashed an effort over the bar from the edge of the box in the 39th minute.

The hosts continued to boss the game and Knights saw a fierce volley deflected wide after a deft touch from Caines in the box.

Former Wolves trainee Riley had to use all of his pace and strength to hold off the pacey Hemmings as he chased down a long ball forward down the left wing.

Harriers made five changes at the break but Wolves substitute Sam Winnall was stretchered off after being injured early in the second half.

The unfortunate substitute was replaced by Michael Wardle.

Substitute Dean Bennett rattled the crossbar in the 54th minute with a powerful long range effort.

Winger Kyle Hadley was proving a handful and he saw a decent effort fly over the bar on the hour mark.

Wideman Brian Smikle carved out a great chance in the 65th minute when he skipped past Shackell and delivered the perfect cross but a rising Tom Sharpe was inches away from meeting the ball.

Harriers were keeping the pressure on and Lee Baker raced into the area but his cross to Hadley was put behind by a desperately back-tracking Perez.

Defender Zac Costello almost earned a cigar when he broke up a Wolves attack, drove forward, swapped passes with Bennett and then forced a diving save from Woolley.

McPhee was unlucky not to score in the 80th minute when he ghosted into meet Hadley's deep cross from the right but saw his effort come off the post.

The lively Smikle then released Aaron Farrell in the box but Woolley saved his effort with his legs in the 82nd minute.

Harriers will be hoping to add goals to their performance when they entertain Hereford at home on Tuesday night (7.45pm kick-off).

Harriers: Coleman; Joe Wilcox (Dolman, 45); Caines (Sharpe, 60); Riley (Costello, 72); Courtney (Baker, 45); Strachan (Bennett, 45); McPhee; McDermott (Hadley, 45); Knights (Hayward, 60); Barnes-Homer (Farrell ,60); Elvins (Smikle).

Wolverhampton Wanderers development XI: Woolley; Collins; Shackell; Batth; Ward; Davis; E Bennett; K Bennett (Perez, 64); Hemmings; Simmons; Perez (Winnall, 45 (Wardle, 50)).

Unused substitutes: Wardle; Winnall; Connor; Mulliner.

Attendance: 946 (290) Referee: W Barrett (West Midlands).