Hello and welcome to Aggborough Stadium, home of Kidderminster Harriers, for this FA Cup Round one tie between Kidderminster Harriers and Grimsby Town. My name is James Bishop and I’ll be taking you through all the action.
The home side currently sit in eighth in the Vanarama National League North, while their opponents take second spot in the Vanarama National League, the league above. The Harriers could really be up against it today and may need some of that FA Cup magic to guide them to victory today.
Last time out, The Harriers picked up a 4-0 win in the league against Spennymoor Town. They are also in fine scoring form, netting ten goals in their last four games. Grimsby lost 1-0 to Notts County in their last outing, adding to a short run of losses.
TEAM NEWS
We should be underway shortly. Looking at both these sides, I can’t see anything but a Grimsby Town win here today. League and position aside, Grimsby may just have too much quality for The Harriers.
And we are underway!
[2] Well it didn’t take long to lose a ball. Harriers number two, Alex Penny, sends a long ball down the right side to number ten, Ashley Hemmings. He can’t get there before Grimsby Town’s number twenty-two, Ryley Towler, who takes no prisoners and smacks it over the main stand.
[5] SAVE It’s The Harriers who are first to threaten and force a save out of Max Crocombe in the Grimsby Town goal. Harriers number seven, Sam Austin, wins the ball back in the middle of the park. He plays it wide to Hemmings who line himself up for a cross, it finds number nine, Amari Morgan-Smith, who nods on towards goal. his header is well saved and held by Crocombe.
[7] It’s another Harriers half-chance early on here. Austin loops a pass over his head and over the heads of the Grimsby defenders. Morgan-Smith latches onto it, he hits it first time with a decent connection but his effort fires wide.
[17] Grimsby have their first chance to threaten after an excellent switch of play from Towler who finds number four, Ben Fox. He drills in a cross low to number twenty-nine, Ryan Taylor, who strikes towards goal however the Harriers number one, Luke Simpson, gets down well to get is body behind it.
[24] The Harriers have another chance to swing the ball in deep from the right side. Alex Penny attempts to strike the bouncing ball first time however misses it completely to the delight of the travelling Grimsby fans and it runs for a goal kick.
[29] The Harriers are playing some wonderful football so far. It’s Morgan-Smith and Austin who link up on the left side, beating multiple defenders with some one touch passing. Morgan-Smith then tries to find Austin in behind however the ball is well shielded out by Grimsby’s number six, Luke Waterfall.
[35] The home support has been in fine voice so far this afternoon, keeping the chants going throughout every passage of play. A notable mention goes out to the “KEITH” chant which echos round the ground every time Harriers veteran centre-back, Keith Lowe, touches the ball.
[42] It’s Grimsby’s Towler who finds number two, Michee Efete, with another wonderful switch of play. He attempts to cross into the back post however it is too high for Revan, the only contact he can get is with the top of his head as it bounces off and out for a goal kick.
1 minute added time
[45+1] Harriers have a free kick just in the Grimsby half. It’s Hemmings who puts the ball in but it runs through the waiting Grimsby keeper, Max Crocombe.
HALF-TIME: Kidderminster Harriers 0-0 Grimsby Town
Well we go in at half-time yet to see a breakthrough from either side. The Harriers definitely started the game better than their opposition, dominating the ball and having a few half-chances early on. Grimsby did eventually come into the game, however they have not threatened the Harriers goal anywhere near as much. If the chances stay consistent we should be in for an action-packed second half.
We keep the tradition going for sampling the match-day food.
We are back in action!
[48] It’s a lovely well-timed back-heel from Grimsby number seven, Will Bapaga, that finds Etefe on the right side. He stings a low cross into the box however it is well gathered by Simpson in goal.
[50] Grimsby number 15, Harry Clifton, finds himself with some space out wide on the left. He fizzes a cross in through a very dangerous area. It begs for a simple touch to get the breakthrough but it finds Harriers number five, Keith Lowe, who knocks it aside for a Grimsby corner.
[52] Grimsby’s number eight, Giles Coke, claims to be hit with a late challenge from Harriers number two, Alex Penny. However, I don’t think he actually got touched at all.
[59] SUBSTITUTION Grimsby: Will Bapaga OFF, Levell John-Lewis ON
[60] Grimsby are threatening here as a corner is whipped in towards the back post. It is headed back across by number four, Ben Fox, and it latched onto by Luke Waterfall. He hits it first time but his shot skims just wide of the post.
[63] SUBSTITUTION Harriers: Amari Morgan-Smith OFF, Ethan Freemantle ON
[64] It’s fresh sub Levell John-Lewis who finds himself with the ball at his feet after it bounces around in the Harriers box. He strikes a shot but number one, Luke Simpson, spreads himself well and makes the save to turn it aside for a corner.
[67] The action keeps coming for Grimsby as Efete is sent in behind the Harriers defence. He strikes towards goal but watches in despair as his shot cannons of the outside of the Luke Simpson’s goal frame.
[70] PENALTY HARRIERS! Sam Austin does brilliantly to win the ball back deep in the Grimsby half. He finds Ethan Freemantle who knocks it past his marker and is brought down. Referee points to the spot, no complaints.
GOAL HARRIERS! (ASHLEY HEMMINGS) The number 10 steps up for the penalty and calmly converts low to the right of the keeper who dives the opposite direction.
[73] SUBSTITUTION Grimsby: Luke Waterfall OFF, Joel Grant ON
[79] SUBSTITUTION Harriers: Ashley Hemmings OFF, Keziah Martin ON
[84] The Harriers have a free kick which is basically positioned like a corner on the right side. Sterling whips it in but it is well cleared by Grimsby.
[89] Grimsby’s Efete finds himself out wide once again with the opportunity to cross. He does so but it is well gathered by Simpson in the Harriers goal. He then proceeds to go down after an apparent pulled muscle in his leg. Small halt in play.
5 minutes added time
FULL-TIME Kidderminster Harriers 1-0 Grimsby Town
Well isn’t that just the magic of the FA cup in a nutshell! Grimsby Town have been beaten by Kidderminster Harriers after a penalty that was converted by Hemmings in the second half.
You can’t say that The Harriers didn’t deserve the result here, they fought hard and had a few chances of their own. Grimsby’s quality was apparent but The Harriers dealt with the pressure well and have been rewarded for the efforts. They now move on to round two of the FA Cup.
That’ll be all from me! Thank you very much for reading along and I hope you have a good evening.
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