Kidderminster v Farsley - Saturday Jan 19 2008

A 95 th minute goal broke Farsley Celtic brave hearts as Kidderminster Harriers came from behind to win 2-1 at the Aggborough Stadium. Celtic boss John Deacey handed new signing Curtis Aspden his debut between the sticks, Aspden signed from Hull City yesterday. Vice Captain Amjad Iqbal was recalled into the starting X1 after suspension along with Damien Reeves who replaced Stephen Torpey who dropped to the bench. Celtic had the first chance of the game but it was Kidderminster who had the upper hand in the first 15 minutes. Simeon Bambrook was presented with a chance eight yards from goal but his volley was well saved by Scott Bevan. Harriers’ right winger Simon Russell had two chances on seven and 11 minutes. Firstly his cross turned into a shot and Aspden had to kick the ball clear. Then secondly Russell picked the loose ball and blazed only just wide inside the penalty area. Celtic took the lead on 17 minutes from no-where. Harriers’ Michael Blackwood lost possession of the ball on the halfway line and Reeves took advantage. REEVES sped ahead of the Harriers defenders and from 16 yards he slotted home past the onrushing Bevan. The goal took the sting out of the Harriers and their next chance came on 31 minutes. Mark Creighton headed towards the goal from a corner but fortunately for Celtic the ball was cleared off the line. The referee had his notebook out for the first time on 34 minutes when Celtic’s Matthew Lawlor was cautioned for a foul. Two minutes later Russell Penn shot from 25 yards and it was blocked by the brave Mark Hotte. The ball went over the crossbar and for a corner. From the resulting corner Andy Ferrell volleyed well wide. The last real action of the half was the injured Hotte being replaced by Celtic’s former Harriers’ favourite Mark Jackson.

HT 0-1

The game was changed on 50 minutes but before that it looked like that Celtic may grab a second goal. Firstly on 48 minutes, Roy Stamer’s cross turned into a shot and Bevan seemed to tap it onto the crossbar, however unluckily for Celtic, the ball stayed in and didn’t go for a corner kick. Eventually the ball ended up with James Knowles and from 30 yards he shot for goal. Bevan saw it late but he was able to palm it wide for a Celtic corner. Harriers’ equaliser came on 50 minutes totally against the run of play. Harriers’ danger man James CONSTABLE cut inside and shot from 18 yards straight into the bottom corner easily beating Aspden. Despite being pegged back Celtic kept battling and they had plenty of chances. Stamer had chances on 55 and 56 minutes. Firstly he volleyed over and then his long range effort was punched wide for a corner. Celtic’s warhorse Bambrook had a good chance on 61 minutes but he was unable to get a enough power on shot. Bambrook shot from 10 yards but Bevan able to collect comfortably. Celtic had two more players yellow carded on 63 and 65 minutes. Firstly Knowles was cautioned for an allocation with Bevan and then Craig Bentham after his arms were up on an aerial challenge. Jackson was cautioned on 71 minutes for a foul but Celtic battled heroically and substitute Andy Watson nearly won the game for Celtic. Reeves battled with the strong Harriers’ defence and passed to Watson 18 yards out but his powerful shot flashed just wide. As the fourth minute of the four allocated minutes passed, watches were being looked at but the referee decided there was still time left. Former Blackburn right-back Jeff Kenna crossed from the right and PENN rose above everyone else and his header looped in the air and into the top corner, Aspden had no-chance and Celtic had nothing. There was still time but that was only for Bambrook’s hopeful 50 yard shot which went well wide. Celtic deserved a point but they need to regroup for Monday’s FA Trophy tie with Alfreton along with Thursday’s match with Peter Taylor’s Stevenage.

 

FT 2-1

 

Kidderminster Harriers: Bevan, Kenna, Creighton, Whitehead, Russell, Constable, Penn, Blackwood, McGrath (Bennett 69), Ferrell, Christie (Richards 58). Subs Unused

Farsley Celtic: Aspden, Hotte (Jackson 40), Iqbal, Knowles, Bambrook, Reeves, Stamer (Allanson 93), McNiven, Downes, Bentham, Lawlor (Watson 68). Subs Unused: Tuck, Torpey

Referee: G.S. Stretton

Attendance 1,475

 

MATCH STATS

 

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 2 FARSLEY CELTIC 1

Constable 51, Penn 90(+4) Reeves 17

 

 

SATURDAY 19 th JANUARY 2008

 

KICK OFF: 3pm

 

At Aggborough Stadium

 

	6	ON TARGET		4
	6	OFF TARGET		4
	1	BLOCKED		0
	0	WOODWORK		1
	12	CORNERS		3
	7	OFFSIDES		5
	13	FOULS		15
	0	YELLOW		4
	0	RED		0