Kidderminster Harriers 1 Southend United 3

Last updated : 05 January 2005 By Mark Wallis

Following the emphatic new years day victory over Rushden & Diamonds at Roots Hall, manager Steve Tilson recalled Freddy Eastwood and Wayne Gray into the frontline, as well as defender Spencer Prior for the trip to Aggborough, hoping that United could make it five wins out of six league outings.

Indeed, the Shrimpers could not have got off to a better start when Eastwood slammed the visitor’s into the lead on just ten minute, curling home a 20 yard free kick following a cheeky dummy by skipper Kevin Maher. (0-1)

Following Southend’s opener, the first half never really got going, with the homesters throwing their al at Tilson’s men but to no avail. However a solitary chance for Harriers did arrive two minutes before the interval when Blair Sturrock nodded a Tom Bennett cross onto the top of the net.

Half-time: Kidderminster Harriers 0 Southend United 1

Southend sat back on their slender lead after the interval, with second-bottom Kidderminster throwing everything they had at the Shrimpers rearguard, however it was still the South Essex side who created the best of the early second period opportunities.

A Maher free kick found the run of Eastwood who stabbed a low shot into the arms of Danvy before the ex-Grays Athletic frontman found himself clear through on goal, following neat work involving Tesfaye Bramble and Nicky Nicolau, but saw a Brave Danby gather the ball at his feet.

Then, on 79 minutes Harriers grabbed a leveller. A dangereous Dean Keates corner was not fully cleared and substitute Chris Beardsley stooped low to slide the ball home from close range. (1-1)

However, that goal suddenly awoke United and within three minutes the lead had been re-established. Great work involving Eastwood and Gray on the left flank resulted in the latter sending in a cross which Nicolau slammed into the top right hand corner for his first goal for the club. (1-2)

Amazingly, and maybe against the run of play, Southend sealed the victory a further two minutes later, Eastwood stealing in to head home a Gray cross from close range. (1-3)

MATCH FACTS
KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS...(0) 1 SOUTHEND UNITED…(1) 3
Football League Division Three, Monday, 3rd January 2005 @ Aggborough

Line-ups:
The Harriers (4-4-2red shirts, white shorts, red socks):- John Danby; Jon Beswetherick, Simon Weaver, Jonny Mullins, Tom Bennett; Dean Keates, Simon Russell (Chris Beardsley ht), Lee Jenkins; Blair Sturrock, Ian Foster (Jamie Gleeson ht).

The Shrimpers (4-4-2; navy, navy, navy):- Bart Griemink; Lewis Hunt, Che Wilson, Adam Barrett, Spencer Prior; Kevin Maher, Mark Bentley (Tesfaye Bramble 42 [Lawrie Dudfield 78]), Carl Pettefer, Nicky Nicolau; Wayne Gray, Freddy Eastwood (Andy Edwards 90). Unused subs – James Lawson, Darryl Flahavan.

Goals: Kidderminster: Beardsley 79 (bundled home from a corner; inside area; timed at 78:43). Southend: Eastwood 10 (curling shot from laid-off free kick; outside area; timed at 09:48), Nicolau 82 (curling shot; inside area; timed at 81:31), Eastwood 84 (header; inside area; timed at 83:43)
Bookings: Kidderminster: Keates (18 – dissent), Bennett (53 – foul). Southend: Hunt (70 – dissent).
Sent-off: None.
Total Goal Efforts: Kidderminster 9, Southend 10
Shots/headers on target: Kidderminster 2, Southend 5
Shots/headers off target: Kidderminster 6, Southend 5
Blocked shots: Kidderminster 1, Southend 0
Hit Woodwork: Kidderminster 0, Southend 0
Corners: Kidderminster 5, Southend 3
Free Kicks: Kidderminster 18, Southend 18
Caught Offside: Kidderminster 2, Southend 6

Match Time:
First Half: 47:41. Second Half: 48:28. Total: 96:21.
Indicated stoppage time: First Half: 2 minutes (Actual: 02:41), Second Half: 3 minutes (03:28)

Referee: Andy Hall (West Midlands FA), 7 out of 10 (General Control 3/5, Application of Laws 2/3, Personality & Appearance 2/2)

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com

NB. Shots/headers on target includes all goals and Free Kicks includes all penalties.