MATCH REPORT - VICS V KIDDERMINSTER 

Vics 0 v 1 Kidderminster

Vics failed to score a single goal for a second time in a home National Conference fixture and consequently suffered consecutive home defeats that have left pre-season optimism and aspirations temporarily in tatters. Morecambe had provided a level of performance that might allowed some explanation for the first defeat, but Kidderminster rarely rose above the mundane today leaving concerns around competency levels in some areas of the team.


 

An early injury to Chris Williams, believed to be a broken ankle, did not help matters, but it has to be said that throughout the opening half Vics were especially poor. Michael Blackwood all too easily outpaced Gareth Griffiths only to shoot wide before Scott Bevan spilled a cross that fell to Kieran Charnock but he lifted a golden opportunity to score a first personal goal high and wide. Vics continued to lack initiative while looking vulnerable at the back and they were left to pay the ultimate cost when a well worked Harriers move ended with Blackwood sliding a pass across the face of goal for REYNOLDS to score all too easily from close range.  

So ineffectual were Vics that their next, and only second real shot at goal, came on the stroke of half time and that proved again to be a wayward effort from the ineffectual Townson.

Hopes that things would change after the break proved unfounded and it was the visitors that came closest to extending their lead when Reynolds again outpaced a static Vics rearguard only to pull his final shot wide of the mark. Vics introduced Brayson for Payne, who had never looked the part in midfield, but they remained unconvincing and only saves by Senior from Sturridge and Hurren kept them with any hope of salvaging something from the game.

Charnock continued to work hard at the back to cover his colleagues inefficiencies while Byrne and Carr did their best to breathe life into an otherwise inept team. Carr did go close toward the end and Brayson forced the keeper into a rare save before Townson shot wide at the death.