Match Report

FC United moved 11 points clear of the relegation zone after completing a hard fought seaon double over Kidderminster Harriers at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.

George Thomson’s first half strike was enough to give the Reds victory over the third place Harriers for the second time this season, with the scoreline finishing 1-0.

The match kicked off with both sides feeling each other out, neither side creating any chances with the visitors’ captain Keith Lowe looking particularly comfortable in the heart of defence.

It was 20 minutes before there was a shot on target. Harriers’ Arthur Gnahoua hit a powerful strike from outside the area but FC keeper Dave Carnell collected easily.

The game and the crowd then burst into life. A defensive mix-up on the halfway line saw Thomson come away with the ball and he raced towards the Saint Mary’s Road End.

With two defenders closing in on him he calmly slotted the ball passed Sam Hornby into the opposition goal to give United the lead.

In response, Kidderminster began to play some neat football but without much end product. As the first half drew to close Gnahoua unleashed another good shot and again Carnell produced another good save.

At the start of second half Harriers made a double substitution as they looked to change their fortunes. But their immediate impact wasn’t what they would have wanted as five minutes in when one of the substitutes, Sam Austin was booked for a foul on captain Jerome Wright.

Moments later, Thomson tried to add a second after a neat lay off from Gareth Arnison but Hornby was equal to the task.

Kidderminster were now dominating possession and on the hour mark they made their final substitution as they pressed for an equaliser.

Austin was particularly dangerous making numerous raids down FC’s right flank, stretching the home defence time and again. In a bid to break up play Wright was cautioned for time wasting whilst taking a throw-in.

Harriers pressed on relentlessly creaitng some good chances but Carnell held firm on each occasion. Kidderminster grew stronger as the game reached the closing stages with FC visibly tiring after a monumental rear guard effort.

As the away team pressured again, FC United substitute Sam Sheridan broke up play and sent a through ball to fellow substitute Tom Greaves who found himself against one defender. Greaves found half a yard for himself on the edge of the box and hit a shot that went agonisingly wide of the upright.

Five minutes of added time were played without any major scares as the Reds held on to complete the double over promotion chasing Kidderminster.

A crowd of 2,456 witnessed a hard fought victory where every player put in a decent shift.

Man of the match: Dave Carnell. The FC custodian made some good saves to cap an all round solid display that must have influenced his team mates to keep battling to three welcome points.

Report by Neil Lees