County 1 Kidderminster Harriers 0

Stockport made just one change to the line up following Wednesday`s fixture against Wrexham. It seemed to be a strange one to Hatters fans when the news first broke around Edgeley Park that Ian Ormson replaced Lewis King in goal.

County managed to get themselves back to winning ways thanks to a first half penalty from Sean Newton in the 44th minute. Nathan Vaughan was brought into action early on as Sean Newton had a powerful shot saved by The Harriers keeper. Craig Hobson also had his effort stopped by Vaughan who is currently on non-contract terms at the Harriers.

Paul Turnbull released Danny Whitehead in another attempt for County, Whitehead crossed the ball to Craig Hobson who saw his right footed shot saved by keeper Vaughan who wore the number 23 shirt for the Harriers. County had two further chances resulting in a corner but Danny Whitehead and Jordan Fagbola could not manage to put County into the lead.

Hattersley took the next chance for the Hatters as once again Vaughan managed to keep his side in the game as the keeper blocked the effort from the in form Danny Hattersley, Hattersley had the chance created by Andy Halls who linked up well with Whitehead on the right wing.

Lee Vaughan the Kiddy number 2 made a promising run forward towards The Cheadle End, his cross was met by the head of Malbon who fluffed his chance and saw his effort first blocked by Tunnicliffe and then his second effort blasted into The Cheadle End.

Jim thought it was time to make a change as he brought on Alex Kenyon as a replacement for Tom Collins who did not look up to meet the match-day tempo.

Whitehead saw his shot saved by Kiddy keeper Vaughan, as the striker tried to obtain his fifth goal of the season. Kenyon was next to try his luck on the 40th minute mark as the central midfielder had his effort cushioned away by Vaughan followed by a long range effort from Matty Mainwaring saved comfortably.

In the 43rd minute County were awarded a penalty as a Kidderminster defender brought down Daniel Hattersley. This lead to Sean Newton stepping up to take the penalty which he of course scored for the Hatters, making it 1-0.

County were lucky not to concede a goal before the break as Kidderminster attacked towards the Cheadle End, Malbon had his shot fantastically saved by Ormson as he clipped the ball onto the post to keep County in the lead.

HT: COUNTY 1 Kidderminster Harriers 0

County had a chance to go 2-0 up as Matty Mainwaring linked up well with Hattersley but his effort was too weak to trouble the keeper, several minutes alter Briggs and Hobson clashed heads which resulted in Craig Hobson being substituted, his place was taken by Joe Connor as County looked to hold out for a result.

In the 53rd minute County could have been awarded another penalty but the referee simply said no, but it was obvious that the Kidderminster defender handled the ball but County were not given another chance from the 12 yard spot.

Kidderminster troubled the Hatters as they put County under pressure but from the inclusion of Connor and Tunnicliffe County managed to keep a clean sheet. Ormson nearly got himself a goal-assist as the County keeper managed to catch Kidderminster on the break as Ormson released the ball early in order for Whitehead to take his shot, the shot was not good enough for The Hatters as his shot was sent into the Cheadle End.

County had no more chances for the next 10 minutes but were asked to defend their lead, on several occasions. Andy Halls made a mistake for County but as always someone else picked up the pieces, mainly through the services of Ormson, Tunnicliffe and Fagbola who kept County in the game.

Kenyon could have doubled County`s leas but he saw his effort skied over the bar.

It mattered not.

FT: COUNTY 1 Kidderminster 0

ATT: 3,426 (207)


Vital Man of The Match: Sean Newton

Vital`s say:

County really did perform well on Saturday and with several early chances the game should have been put beyond the efforts of Kidderminster by the half time whistle. True to form though, as the game progressed, County seemed to be holding on. Kiddy really did have their chances to get back into the game but did not take full advantage of them. I`m hoping that County will progress on from this and start to push up the league.