Kidderminster Harriers 3
York City 0

HARRIERS are playing a refreshing brand of attacking football now that they have overcome their home nerves and put struggling York to the sword on Saturday.

An explosive first half of pace and power from the Aggborough men was too much for York. The only thing missing was more clinical finishing.

If manager Mark Yates' team had taken the lion's share of their first period chances then hapless York would have lost by a cricket score.

As it was the home side took their foot off the accelerator in the second half and allowed brittle York a chance to battle back, before Justin Richards sealed an accomplished performance with his second goal of the game.

All of a sudden the nerves and fear that were palpable a month ago have been washed away and Harriers look a fearsome prospect for any team that visits Aggborough.

The confidence taken from last week's 4-0 win over Exeter means the shackles are off, and fearless Harriers are playing with a purpose and freedom that will have the home faithful licking their licks in anticipation of the home games to come.

Unfortunately a York side low on confidence was going to be no match for high-octane Harriers, who took the game to them from the very start.

Russ Penn and James Constable had early chances to open the scoring in a one-sided start to the first half, before Richards put his side ahead in the 16th minute.

Jonny Harkness won the ball down the left and found Michael Blackwood.

The winger sped down the flank and played in a low ball for Richards, who expertly directed it past goalkeeper Stephen Henderson.

It was a goal that demonstrated Richards' new found confidence.
The big striker has taken a few games to hit his straps since joining Harriers in the summer, but in the last four matches his work rate and pace has been a useful asset.

Russ Penn should have added a second minutes later after excellent work by Blackwood picked him out on the left of the box, but the midfielder blazed over.

Midfielder Dean Bennett, who was clearly enjoying his role in the centre of the pitch with Andy Ferrell, grabbed the second goal.

It looked like a flowing Harriers move down the right had been broken up when Kenna's lay-off to Constable hit defender David Kelly.

But the ball fell to Penn, who found Bennett on the edge of the box and he drilled a low shot into the bottom right hand corner in the 29th minute.

Richards continued to be a threat and was so adept at speeding past defender Dave McGurk that the York man had to hold onto his shirt to stop him.

The striker had a great call for a penalty ignored by referee Mr Richardson when once again he bustled past McGurk only to be dragged down in box in the 37th minute.

Minutes later the young defender tried to pull the fleet-flooted Harriers striker's shirt as he sped past him and was lucky to be only shown a yellow card.

Harriers could not maintain their electric tempo in the second half and it remains to be seen if Yates' side can control games if they are not playing at 100 miles per hour.

Despite the loss of defender Mark Creighton at the start of the second half Harriers were marshalled expertly by Jeff Kenna, who looked at home keeping the defence together.

But the former Irish international may face sterner tests than York, who had the cutting edge of a beach ball.

Despite seeing a lot more of the ball the best effort the Minster men could muster was Craig Farrell's shot, which crept past the post with Scott Bevan beaten mid-way through the second half.
The inclusion of Iyseden Christie added more attacking impetus for Harriers and he provided the cross that allowed Richards to make it four goals for the season in the 88th minute.

Bevan completed a satisfying afternoon's work for Harriers by denying Omome Sodje late on to ensure a clean sheet.
Harriers: Bevan 7; KENNA 9; Harkness 7; Creighton 6 (Hurren 49, 6); Constable 7 (Christie 67, 6 ); Richards 8; Penn 7; Blackwood 7; Ferrell 6; Bignot 6; Bennett 7 (Smikle 77).

York: Henderson; Sodje; Kelly; Elliott; Brodie (Farrell 62); Purkiss (Craddock 31); Woolford; Greenwood (Brayson 58); McGurk; Robinson; Panther (c).

Referee: Mr D Richardson (W Yorkshire). Attendance: 1589.