Harriers slump to Wimbledon defeat

Former Harriers trialist Danny Kedwell's 20th minute strike was difference, as the Aggborough side's three-match unbeaten run in the Blue Square Premier came to an end.

The matched was watched by Barnes-Homer, who secured a move to Harriers' conference rivals Luton this week.

The hosts lacked spark against a Wimbledon outfit that boasted one of the best away records in the division.

Harriers manager Mark Yates handed a debut to striker Damian Spencer, who joined Harriers on-loan from Kettering as a replacement for Matthew Barnes-Homer.

Spencer had only played as a substitute against his new club for Kettering last week.

Liam Dolman was handed his first league start for Harriers as a replacement for the unwell Duane Courtney.

Spencer almost had the perfect start to his debut, when he sped down the left wing but his shot floated off target.

With Harriers' new strike partnership taking time to gel, Wimbledon's hitmen Luke Moore and Danny Kedwell had already shown signs of worrying the home defence.

Kedwell left centre back Gavin Caines for dead when he raced onto Ricky Wellard's through pass, rounded keeper Dean Coleman and slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Spencer almost replied immediately, when he met Daniel Andrews' free-kick but bulleted a header wide 60 seconds later.

A good chance to level the scores fell to Brian Smikle in the 29th minute. Robbie Matthews rose high to nod the ball into the midfielder's path but his low effort was straight at keeper Seb Brown.

Spencer, who had been closeley marked by the physical Paul Lorraine, was then booked for a scything two-footed challenge on Wellard in the 32nd minute.

Matthews' name also went in the book three minutes later for a slightly late challenge on Lorraine.

Harriers were struggling for ideas but the away side continued to look dangerous even though Luke Moore limped off in the 44th minute.

His replacement, John Main, delivered a cross from the left but Caines did enough to block Lewis Taylor's diving header.

Dolman, who scored a 40-yard effort in the Worcestershire Senior Cup game at Bromsgrove Rovers, hit the target three minutes into the second half but Brown saved comfortably.

There were danger signs in the 52nd minute when Main lead a counter-attack but his 20-yard shot flew over the bar.

Yates made a double substitution in the 54th minute, bringing David McDermott on and giving a debut to Ryan Charles, who joined Harriers on-loan from Luton as part of the Barnes-Homer deal.

But the away side continued to look more dangerous and Main wasted a good chance to extend their lead in the 58th minute when he headed the ball into the ground from Kedwell's cross.

Harriers pushed for a leveller and won their two first corners of the game just over the hour mark but the away side looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

Defender Brian Smikle0 headed wide from an Andrew corner but at the other end of the pitch, Dolman did well to put Lewis Taylor off at the far post after a good run and cross from Jay Conroy.

As a last throw of the dice, Yates put on striker Aaron Farrell for Dolman in the 82nd minute. The former Sutton Coldfield man did well to get into a crossing position moments after coming on but his delivery was poor.

Harriers pushed for a leveller but failed to test Brown in goal as they slipped to a disappointing defeat.

Harriers: Coleman; Caines; Riley; McPhee; Bennett; Knights (McDermott, 54); Smikle; Dolman (Farrell, 80); Matthews; Andrew; Spencer (Charles, 54).

Unused substitutes: Baker; Hayward.

Kettering: Brown; Conroy; Johnson; Gregory; Lorraine; Judge; Wellard; Taylor; (Hatton, 82) Kedwell; Hendry (Godfrey, 77); Moore (Main, 44).

Unused substitutes: Turner; Montague.

Referee: Robert Madley. Attendance: 1,788 (397)