Recap: Harriers 2-0 Hartlepool

Enterprise National League

Kidderminster Harriers

2 - 0

Fri 11 Sept

Aggborough Stadium

Hartlepool United

Match ReportLive Game CentreProgramme

Lead image: Abigaill Media; Gallery: Ade Hoskins

HARRIERS produced a dominant display under the Aggborough lights to secure a deserved 2-0 victory over Hartlepool United on Friday night. An own goal from Neo Eccleston gave Harriers a first-half lead before Callum Stewart made sure of the points five minutes from time, with Hartlepool reduced to ten men shortly after the interval. The margin might have been greater on another night as Harriers controlled much of the contest against a Pools side fancied for a tilt at the National League title, Max Brogan also striking the woodwork during an impressive opening half. Harriers were quickly into their stride and Lewis Walker was causing problems within eight minutes, chasing a ball forward and forcing Nathan Fisher to punch away his close-range effort from a difficult angle. Walker was involved again on 12 minutes, continuing towards goal despite appearing to have his shirt pulled inside the area before seeing his eventual attempt blocked. There was further frustration six minutes later when Fisher appeared to gather the ball outside his area as Stewart gave chase, but play was allowed to continue. The hosts were inches away from taking a deserved lead on 20 minutes. Harriers snapped into a challenge to regain possession before Brogan strode into space and unleashed an effort that had Fisher beaten, only for the ball to cannon back off the post. The pressure eventually told on 34 minutes. A dangerous corner caused problems inside the Hartlepool area and Eccleston, caught in a tangle, inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net to put Harriers 1-0 ahead. There was an opportunity to double the advantage six minutes later when Callum Dolan picked out Reece Devine in space. The defender advanced on the angle and drove a low effort narrowly beyond the far post. Half time: Harriers 1-0 Hartlepool

A rare Hartlepool chance on the night came immediately after the restart, Chris Popov flashing a snapshot over the bar at the near post on 46 minutes. Their task became considerably harder just a minute later when Eccleston's difficult evening ended with a second yellow card, reducing the visitors to ten men. Harriers continued to dictate proceedings and Dolan and Devine combined superbly on 55 minutes, exchanging passes before Dolan moved into the area and lifted his effort over the bar. Devine then found space to try his luck three minutes later, connecting well with his strike but finding Fisher well positioned to gather. Stewart was next to threaten on 69 minutes, meeting a good delivery into the area with a header that looped over as Harriers continued to search for the second goal their performance merited. The visitors had their best opening of the night on 82 minutes when Cole Deeming found his way through on goal, but his angled attempt flashed across Jack Wint's goal and wide. Any lingering doubt was removed three minutes later with a goal that provided a fitting finish to the night. Ethan Moore showed excellent strength going forward before delivering a precise cross into the area, where Stewart planted home a thumping header to make it 2-0. It capped an assured and commanding performance from Harriers, who were good value for every bit of their victory, a great follow-up to performances against Southend and Barrow in meetings with three of the division's title contenders.