The Harriers
turned up to this game full of Christmas spirit and it showed with them
starting the game very positively by going on the attack straight away.
On just 4 minutes S. Lee pounced onto a through ball from fellow
strike partner M. Grove to round the Stripes goal keeper but was brought
down and awarded a penalty, S. Lee then stepped up himself to smash it home
for the first goal.
The Harriers continued to pressurise there opponents and with a
corner on 8 minutes the ball was crossed in with pace and hit a Stripes
defender and this left B. Austin to riffle home for 2-0.
On 17 minutes K. Laughton scored his third of the season with yet
another great strike.
The first half continued in this manner and the Harriers were
unlucky to further there lead.
However the second half did not start as well for the Harriers and
from kick off the Stripes attack went looking for a goal and with a free
kick just outside the box which was well struck but pushed onto the bar by
J. King for the ball to rebound onto B. Austin's head for an own goal.
This meant the game had changed and the Stripes were now feeling
confident and this showed by attacking more and pressuring the Harriers
defence but were dealt with by some good defending and tracking back by
midfield.
Harriers themselves were unlucky to grab a fourth with a number of
chances.
But just as the Harriers looked like they had settled down, the
Stripes scored a second on about 53 minutes, this made it a very nervous
finish for all the spectators involved.
However the Harriers showed great determination to hold onto all 3
points.
Well done Harriers, that's two in a row, another great victory.
A Merry Christmas and a Happy new year to all the players, parents
and all those who support the team, thank you Gareth and Andy.
Team : J. King, B. Austin, J. Mount, A. Davison, K. Laughton, M.
Grove, S. Lee, J. Harrison, C. Bennett.
P.S. A big thank you to Paul Austin for stepping in and referring
the match at the last minute.
