Tuesday 7th October 2008

Vics 1 v 1 Kidderminster

Given that watching Vics lately has alternatively made me want to either laugh or more likely cry, then tonights match can best be summed up by my leaving the ground with a cautious smile.
Another enterprising opening 45 minutes added grist to the argument that they are better than their current league position suggests. The too easy concession of an early second half goal followed by a very indecisive spell underlined a lack of self-belief and served only to emphasise a current confidence crisis. Yet they rolled up their sleeves to eventually achieve a well earned draw.

The liveliest of openings saw Burns turn and drive a shot centimetres over the bar before Byrne and Byrom forced Bartlett into important saves. Byrne again went close before Kidderminster began to show a degree of settling and Tynan had to be on the top of his game to keep out a Penn strike. Mullan, Allan and then Burns linked impressively to set up Byrne and only a full length save was enough to turn a shot destined for goal inches around the post. Harriers reminded the home fans of their potential threat when tynan was at full stretch to turn a Smikle header around his post.

That threat was quickly transformed into reality two minutes after the break when Brittain broke down the right to set up SMIKLE to score with what has now become all too familiar ease. Burns had an opportunity to redress the balance when set clear on goal by Byrne but he failed to take advantage. At this stage Vics self confidence visibly began to ebb and only the width of the cross bar saved them from falling further behind. But, to their credit, they dug deep and when the visitors made a partial clearance from a set piece BROWN stepped forward to score with a perfectly placed angled shot. The draw was probably a fair result although both managers could, and probably will, lay claim to deserving of maximum points.

Team ;4-4-2
Tynan /
Aspin , Roberts , Grand , Brown /
Mullan (Flynn 76), Crowell, Byrom , Byrne (Stamp 66), Byrne /
Allan , Burns
Subs not used: Welch, Jones & Bailey
Referee: J G Adcock
Attendance: 725
Official Man of the Match: Ryan Brown