Barnes-Homer strike sinks new boys

The 23-year-old continued where he left off last season with a fine 35th minute strike to sink the plucky new boys, who earned promotion by winning the Conference South’s play-offs.

Barnes-Homer emerged as a force last year with 21-goals and he enhanced his reputation further by finishing off the only chance of the game.

The goal proved the difference as Harriers were frustrated by Hayes and Yeading’s counter-attacking tactics in the early exchanges.

Despite being named man of the match, manager Mark Yates felt that Barnes-Homer had not been at his best.

“It was a good performance by the lads on a hot day,” responded the striker.

“It was always going to be a hard game because they had a point to prove.

“They were always going to give us a game but once we got our goal we looked comfortable.

“It was nice to get on the scoresheet and I must make sure I’m alive when the ball comes into the box.

“I don’t set targets, I just go out and try to get the goals and make sure we get all three points.

“You can always do more but it was hard because they played 4-5-1 and it was hard to get in behind them.”

Harriers fielded new signings Gavin Caines and Liam Dolman in defence, but otherwise Yates kept faith with the players who performed so well in the previous campaign.

But it was the visitors who settled the quicker, while the hosts looked nervous early on.

Keeper Dean Coleman, who has been promoted to number one this season, caused a few fans’ hearts to flutter when he fumbled a testing cross from Danny Allen-Page.

But he gave his confidence a boost in the 14th minute when he comfortably saved Justin Cochrane's shot from the edge of the box in the 14th minute.

Up front, Chris McPhee did not look out of place as a striker and saw a firm effort blocked by Tom Cadmore.

But while the hosts gained the upper hand, they did not worry the visitors until a well-worked goal late in the half.

McPhee ran to the byline and pulled the ball back to Brian Smikle, who delivered a low ball into the area.

David McDermott wrong-footed Hayes’ defence by stepping over the ball and Barnes-Homer had time to control it and slam a shot into the bottom right corner.

The hitman came close to adding a second in the 42nd minute but saw a fizzing effort fly just wide.

McPhee also shot a fraction off target after the break as Harriers looked for a second killer goal.

But their opponents responded with gusto, throwing on a second striker.

Caines had to clear Dale Binns’ shot away as it looped goalwards.

The second half became a frenetic affair and Hayes could have stole at least a point after two moments of sleepy Harriers defending.

Ram Marwa shot over the bar in the 77th minute after he burst into the box to meet Binns’ low cross. Moments later, substitute Esmond James was left free to fire a volley just over as Harriers’ looked beset by defensive jitters.

The home team responded well, with substitute John Finnigan stinging keeper Simon Overland’s palms with a rasping 30-yard effort, before the impressive McPhee saw a shot deflected wide.

There was relief all round for the home fans and management as Harriers clung on to record their first opening day win in four years.

It was also Yates’ first opening day victory since he took the reins at Aggborough.

With poor results against Lewes and St Albans in recent years lingering in the memory on the opening day of the campaign, the result rather than the performance will be what is remembered.

Harriers: (4-3-1-2): Coleman 6; Baker 6; Caines 6; Riley 7; Dolman 6 (Courtney, 68); Bennett 8 (John Finnigan, 88); McPhee 7; Smikle 6; McDermott 6; Knights 6 (Hadley, 68); Barnes-Homer 6. Unused substitutes: Singh; Sharpe.

Hayes and Yeading (4-5-1): Overland; Allen-Page; Green; Cadmore; Ruby (James, 80); Cochrane; Canham (Fitzgerald, 58); Gradwell; Marwa; Bins; Mulley. Unused substitutes: El-Abd; Little; Preddie.

Referee: Colin Harwood (Manchester). Attendance: 1,471 (95)

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