crusaders 0-4 Kidderminster Harriers
9/4/2023 – 2.00pm – Solihull Town FC.
Goals – Fox, Hodge, Selmes, Whyley
West Midlands Regional Premier League.
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It was a first trip to Shirley Town FC, first off it was so easy to find the ground as literally walked out of Whitlock End train station and it opposite, if only others were as easy. As always it a joy to see Kidderminster Harriers who always welcome anyone into the games. Crusaders also were welcoming and everyone there was nice, warm and welcoming which always sets your first impression off.
The sun was set but the cloudy was making sure it wasn’t a truly warm day as it went up and down throughout the game. It was great to see Dicky, Mark and also Aid, Tracie and Daisy turn up at the game as well. It sounds like I might of missed the highlight of the game though when Tracie for a fiver did a spin around the bar.
The game got underway and an early warning sign for Kidderminster as the ball was in the back of their net but the referee had already called a foul in the build up to the play. But Kidderminster were on top in the game with so much of the play coming through Macy Fox but in between some chances missed and Justine Lewis making some good saves in the goal. It was eventually Macy Fox who troubled the scorers as she twisted in the box to get herself free as she slotted it into the back of the net to make it 0-1 to Kidderminster.
So much of the good work was coming via the wings through Macy Fox and Libby Stokes but it just wasn’t connecting and Crusaders was always a threat with Malika Higgins looking to get them forward. David Healey had made a change which saw Bailey-Raine Hodge come onto the pitch and with literally the final kick of the half the score was 0-2 to Kidderminster Harriers. I think we could do with extending Bailey’s name to Bailey-Raine “Goal Of The Month Candidate” Hodge as once again she pulled off a spectacular goal from the wing that just looped in the top corner. Although was a fantastic effort and helped Kidderminster it was also a little harsh on Justine Lewis who’d had a great half. But the whistle went as kick off was taken with Kidderminster Harriers having some breathing space as the second half started
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The third goal in the game would be truly important if Crusaders scored it they would be back in the game but it was 0-3 to Kidderminster and all but done as a contest when Danielle Selmes broke through the defence and made sure this one didn’t miss. As Selmes broke in behind she took her effort and left the keeper no chance as it hit the back of the net.
It became 0-4 when Macy Fox once again ran the wing so well with power and pace and put a ball across the box that fell to Chloe Whyley who… what’s the best way to describe her finish? a screamer? no…. a well driven shot? no… a tippy tappy grubberhunter? closest I can find. But a goal is a goal and she directed it into the back of the net to make it 0-4 and be fully in control of the tie.
The only other thing wanted to mention was as always so good to see Layla Hart come on and she should of been awarded a penalty late on when it looked like she was about to pull the trigger but at 0-4 I guess it isn’t as important. Crusaders never gave up and made sure the Kidderminster defence stayed honest and that Daisy Jenkins was always ready to collect or come off line when needed too. It was nearly a perfect day as behind us we had heard that Shrewsbury Town were beating Sutton Coldfield Town with 10 minutes to go but you can never count out a Ryan Hamilton team, as they pulled level late on. But the final whistle went with Kidderminster winning 0-4.
First off before get into the Kidderminster bit I wanted to give a shout out to Crusaders as a whole, they turned up with 11 players, no substitutes and a goalkeeper as one of the out players but never gave up and battled to the end. It was great to see Malika Higgins play, mentioned it at Leafield but she a cracking young talent with a great future ahead of her. The goalkeeper, Justine Lewis would of been my player of the match overall as made some great saves to keep the scoreline down. The manager and staff were all very nice and welcoming. I know Crusaders have some games to catch up on so I might pop down again before end of the season, but good luck to them for the rest of the season.
So Kidderminster Harriers led by David Healey, I’ve now hit my 10th game seeing them play, I’m a nerd for stats and that is the 9th game they have won (One on peno’s) but the only game I saw them lose was preseason against Leafield on my first time seeing them play. It’s not lie to see that David and his team are building something quite special with Kidderminster Harriers I have seen 9 out of the 11 teams in the West Midlands Regional Women’s Premier League with only Burton Albion and Shrewsbury Town missing. Sutton Coldfield Town drawing to Shrewsbury Town and Kidderminster Harriers winning means that Sunday’s game between the two could almost decide the title. Where as Wrexham Vs Notts County was a huge game this is also as important. I am gutted to be missing the game at Coles Lane with Leafield in action against Doncaster Belles, but if you can attend make sure you head down to the game.
Kidderminster Harriers have some huge games lined up with the league game against leaders Sutton Coldfield Town on 16th, the semi final of the Women’s Premier League cup against Worcester City on 23rd at COSE of Kidderminster, before the Worcestershire County Cup Final on 30th against Rugby Borough at Claines Lane. The next game is under the lights at Aggborough Stadium when they take on Worcester City on May 3rd with a 7.30pm kick off. That then leaves 2/3 games remaining with Coundon Court away on 7th May and ending the League season on May 14th against Redditch United. The third match depends on whether or not Kidderminster are victorious in the semi final against Worcester City to play the final or not.