Kidderminster Harriers 0-0 Worcester City

KIdderminster win 7-6 on Penalities 

19/2/2023 – 2.00pm – Kidderminster Training Centre

Worcestershire FA County Cup Semi Final

—

What else would I wish to do on my Birthday then to go see a game, a big game. A semi final between Kidderminster Harriers and Worcester City, after a tight game in the league that Kidderminster won 0-1 I expected nothing else but a dingdong battle. As always massive shoutout to Kidderminster for always being so welcoming and just fantastic people involved. From the staff to the players to Clive and so on. It was set up to be a beautiful day with the sun shining and 90 minutes and maybe penalties to see who would make it to the final. Also I won’t lie I was excited once again to see Hattie James play (been a while, oh and Wolves I’m still waiting for you to tell me who she is).

The game got underway with Worcester having the first chance but an effort that didn’t trouble Daisy Jenkins in the Kidderminster goal. Macy Fox as always and to anyone she plays against was causing pandemonium in the box. The pressure lead to a penalty being awarded to Kidderminster on the 8th minute as Macy Fox broke in behind and got taken down by Alisha Hine. Sarah Hazell stepped up to take the penalty and a fantastic save by Alisha Hine in the goal kept the score at 0-0 and the rebound hit the outside of the post behind for a goal kick. An early let off for Worcester City.

It was a such a tight game with both teams looking to get in behind but with strong defenders on each side in Cerys Dolloway and Molly Maguire nothing would be free and easy. Both teams were having possession and moving up the pitch but no real chances of meritt were being created. Both goalkeepers were dealing with anything that came into the areas with young starlet Daisy Jenkins not wishing to be outdone by her counterpart Alisha Hine who had already saved a penalty early on. 

The game played out to a 0-0 draw at half time, with both teams both looking nervous and trying to gain the advantage in the game. But as the half time whistle went without any real clear cut chances apart from the penalty one team could be 45 minutes away from the final.

—

The game was finely balanced with both teams starting the second half the same way that the first half had gone. Alisha Hine was having to be off her line at drop of a hat for when Macy Fox and Sarah Hazell were running in behind with Bailey-Raine Hodge and Hattie James. And Alisha Hine was equal to it on many occasions coming off her line to stop the one on one and counter attack. 

Worcester were starting to build pressure up the other end keeping Daisy Jenkins honest. The bar was struck and a golden chance spawned that saw the effort fly over the bar saw the score remain 0-0. Kidderminster went up other end and Alisha Hines was there to deny the Harriers again. Before Worcester hit the post and the bar once more but nethier team could find that elusive goal to settle the tie. The final whistle was blown with both teams putting on a truly fantastic cup tie that couldn’t see ethier team separated. A single goal between the teams in 180 minutes of football showed this in the two games. It was time for the dreaded penalties for a place in the final at Claines Lane on April 30th.

 —

The two teams lined up for Penalties the lottery of who can keep their nerve or who can get the luck of the draw. The penalties ended up 7-6 to Kidderminster Harriers with it swinging two and throw. But Daisy Jenkins saved the final penalty to see pandemonium on the pitch and ecstasy for Kidderminster Harriers, even Piers found some speed.  But in joy and ecstasy Kidderminster also showed class with David Healy making sure they shook hands with Worcester City who had put up a real battle and were unlucky in defeat. But Kidderminster move on to the final to play Redditch Borough who won 1-2 against Bromsgrove. 

Kidderminster Harriers Vs Redditch Borough – Final

The tie will take place on April 30th at Claines Lane at the Worcester FA headquarters. 

—

After the game obviously spirits were high with Kidderminster but as always so awesome to chat to Molly Maguire (ask her about her scrap and yellow) and get to chat to Maisie McDonnell and finally grab a selfie with her, on my birthday I mean I had to right. Obviously great to spend the day with Marky Mark too, see Clive and Usman as well as the whole Kidderminster crew.