Harriers:1 U's:0 - Home comforts
For the first time in my life last night, I was an armchair fan. And it was quite nice actually, I can see why so many people do it. It wasn’t cold, I could enjoy a nice glass of wine during the game, and at half time I put my washing out rather than sitting and twiddling my thumbs waiting for the game to start.
Actually, who am I kidding, I’d have much rather been at the game. But watching United on TV was a novel experience, spoiled by the fact that we lost for only the second time this season.
The starting line up revealed a few surprises, with Josh Coulson making his full in place of Morrison, who was benched along with Pitt and Boylan, who were replaced by Knights and Leo. LFW’s inclusion was presumably down to the atrocious conditions, which would have surely seen the game postponed had the camera’s not been in attendance.
Any fears about the number of changes seemed unfounded as United dominated the first half. Although Mark Creighton hit the bar for the home side early on, United soon took control, with Knights to the fore, dropping off the front and finding space effectively. Lemu missed a good chance on the turn, before the Yeovil loanee fired wide from the edge of the box when he should have worked Kiddy keeper Scott Bevan. Then just on the stroke of half time Knights and Wolleaston combined neatly, but the latter’s shot was touched onto the post by Bevan. “If that had gone in it would have been 1-0” squealed the ever-insightful Paul Parker (pictured left). Lucky he’s around to explain the games finer points to us eh.
Actually, who am I kidding, I’d have much rather been at the game. But watching United on TV was a novel experience, spoiled by the fact that we lost for only the second time this season.
The starting line up revealed a few surprises, with Josh Coulson making his full in place of Morrison, who was benched along with Pitt and Boylan, who were replaced by Knights and Leo. LFW’s inclusion was presumably down to the atrocious conditions, which would have surely seen the game postponed had the camera’s not been in attendance.
Any fears about the number of changes seemed unfounded as United dominated the first half. Although Mark Creighton hit the bar for the home side early on, United soon took control, with Knights to the fore, dropping off the front and finding space effectively. Lemu missed a good chance on the turn, before the Yeovil loanee fired wide from the edge of the box when he should have worked Kiddy keeper Scott Bevan. Then just on the stroke of half time Knights and Wolleaston combined neatly, but the latter’s shot was touched onto the post by Bevan. “If that had gone in it would have been 1-0” squealed the ever-insightful Paul Parker (pictured left). Lucky he’s around to explain the games finer points to us eh.Anyway, the second half continued in a similar vein, as United pinned their hosts back despite playing into gale-force winds. Inspired play from Knights set up Wolly for a shot that beat the keeper and rolled agonisingly wide. Then, out of the blue, Kiddy scored. Knights was penalised for a foul on Russell Penn, and as the free kick was pumped into the area, the United defence all rushed out en masse to catch the attackers offside. All that is, except for Lemu, who didn’t move, and allowed a grateful Justin Richards to receive the ball and feed Iysden Christie, who fired a first time shot past Potter, despite being a good three or four yards offside. A shambles of a goal all round. 1-0.
The match resumed its familiar pattern, but you began to get the feeling United were never going to score. LFW missed another good chance, before being replaced by Boylan, who almost made an immediate impact. Latching onto a looping pass, he fired in a shot that was parried by Bevan, who then did magnificently to block Peters follow up, before Paul Bignot cleared the ball off the line. Rendell was then denied by the big keeper before a looping Peters effort beat him but clattered off the underside of the bar. This was the last clear chance, as United pressed hard in the last ten minutes but found Bevan equal to everything they could throw at him.
I suppose there have been a few games this year where we’ve despite not being brilliant, so the reverse was bound to happen eventually. I’m not one to blame luck – Kidderminster weren’t lucky to win because they took their chance when it came along and we didn’t take ours. Hopefully the players won’t be too downhearted and we can get back to winning ways in the upcoming cup games before the league programme resumes on Boxing Day.
Given JQ’s post match comments, Michael Morrison’s days at the club appear to be numbered. This is disappointing, if not particularly surprising, news, and I hope our fans aren’t too harsh on Morro for wanting to better himself. He served the club well and hopefully we can get a decent-ish price for him in the transfer window. Josh Coulson enjoyed an assured debut, and if Jimmy can add some experience to the squad in January, I don’t think his departure will cause too much disruption to our promotion push.
Man of the Match: Darryl Knights – Always a threat and at the heart of most of our best attacks. Shame he didn’t put that chance away in the first half.
The match resumed its familiar pattern, but you began to get the feeling United were never going to score. LFW missed another good chance, before being replaced by Boylan, who almost made an immediate impact. Latching onto a looping pass, he fired in a shot that was parried by Bevan, who then did magnificently to block Peters follow up, before Paul Bignot cleared the ball off the line. Rendell was then denied by the big keeper before a looping Peters effort beat him but clattered off the underside of the bar. This was the last clear chance, as United pressed hard in the last ten minutes but found Bevan equal to everything they could throw at him.
I suppose there have been a few games this year where we’ve despite not being brilliant, so the reverse was bound to happen eventually. I’m not one to blame luck – Kidderminster weren’t lucky to win because they took their chance when it came along and we didn’t take ours. Hopefully the players won’t be too downhearted and we can get back to winning ways in the upcoming cup games before the league programme resumes on Boxing Day.
Given JQ’s post match comments, Michael Morrison’s days at the club appear to be numbered. This is disappointing, if not particularly surprising, news, and I hope our fans aren’t too harsh on Morro for wanting to better himself. He served the club well and hopefully we can get a decent-ish price for him in the transfer window. Josh Coulson enjoyed an assured debut, and if Jimmy can add some experience to the squad in January, I don’t think his departure will cause too much disruption to our promotion push.
Man of the Match: Darryl Knights – Always a threat and at the heart of most of our best attacks. Shame he didn’t put that chance away in the first half. 
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