Harriers 4, Altrincham 0

STRIKER Michael Gash produced a timely reminder of his goal-scoring ability as he inspired Harriers to their biggest win of the season on Tuesday night.

The 28-year-old marked his first start of the season with a well-taken goal to open the floodgates against a spirited Altrincham side.

The game had looked to be a tight, niggly affair until the 37th minute, when Craig Reid spotted his strike partner’s run into space and flicked the ball over the defence.

The hitman provided a Gash-stronomic treat when he volleyed home an eye-catching strike.

Last season’s top scorer has been restricted to a series of cameo performances, but it was the perfect way to impress manager Gary Whild.

“We all know what Michael Gash brings to the team and when the ball spun up into the air and you see him to lining up you expect the back of the net to ripple,” commented the Reds supremo.

“He’d be the first to admit the likes of Nathan Blissett and Craig Reid had earned their place in the team and he’s had to be patient, which he has been.

“His attitude has been fantastic and he’s taken his chance.”

Harriers have a wealth of forward talent at their disposal in Reid, Blissett, Gash and Reece Styche, but the Kidderminster boss has admitted he’s searching for the right formula up front.

Reid’s partnership with Gash showed promising signs and the former bagged a second three minutes later, firing home from close range after Altrincham ‘keeper David Porter had parried a firm effort from Marvin Johnson.

Harriers’ cause was helped six minutes after the half-time break, when Simon Richman, who had already been booked in the 28th minute, was shown a second yellow for a late challenge on Josh Gowling.

Altrincham continued to plug away but Johnson arrowed an effort into the top right-hand corner to make it 3-0 in the 72nd minute, after being unselfishly teed up by substitute Aman Verma.

Styche bagged a fourth in the 94th minute to put the icing on the cake and end Kidderminster’s two-game losing run in some style.

“After the previous two games, it was important to get a win,” commented Harriers’ manager.

“To do it with a bit of style and score a few goals, I am delighted.

“While we lost the last two games I thought we created lots of chances.

“Whether it’s a striker or whatever, you want to put the ball in the back of the net. If you look at Marvin Johnson as a forward, they all scored and hopefully that will give them a lot of confidence.”

HARRIERS: Lewis 7, Green 7, Storer 6 (Verma, 63), Dunkley 7, Byrne 6, Johnson 7, Gash 7 (Obeng, 77), Reid 7 (Styche, 71), Grimes 6, Nicholson 6, GOWLING 7.

Subs not used: Blissett, Singh.

ALTRINCHAM: Parton, Leather, Havern, Marshall, Griffin (Clee, 66), Richman, Cavanagh, Moult, Lawrie (Gillespie, 59), Perry, Reeves (Wilkinson, 77).

Subs not used: Coburn, Williams.

Referee: Richard Martin (Somerset) Attendance: 1,451 (90)