ASHLEY Hemmings hit another superb hat-trick as Kidderminster Harriers beat Curzon Ashton 3-0 to maintain the pressure on leaders Scunthorpe, writes Neil Gordon.
Sensational Hemmings scored inside the opening minute before adding a deadly second-half double to pass the 30-goals mark for the season on Saturday, April 12 at Aggborough.
Kidderminster remain second in the Vanarama National League North on 83 points, just one point behind leaders Scunthorpe United who beat Spennymoor Town.
Picture by Marcus Mingins 1725005MMR6
A crowd of 3,028 watched Phil Brown’s men return to winning ways and secure their ninth win and eighth clean sheet in 11 games, while also completing a double over the visitors.
Harriers opened the scoring after just 46 seconds when Reece Devine’s cross from the left found Hemmings who planted his header downwards and inside the post to send the North Stand wild.
Picture by Marcus Mingins 1725005MMR3
Lively Harriers looked to build on their opening and were gifted possession when Isaac Sinclair trod on the ball in his own half on 27-minutes. Amari Morgan-Smith received possession and strode forwards before unleashing a powerful shot from distance which rose and then dipped over the crossbar.
Hemmings then fired wide after Zak Brown’s shot had come back off a defender.
Picture by Marcus Mingins 1725005MMR2
After the interval David Davis clipped the outside of the Curzon post with a firm shot after a good passage of play from the Reds.
Reiss McNally picked up a yellow card for a foul on the visitor’s Jimmy Spencer but the resulting free kick came to nothing.
Harriers made it 2-0 when Hemmings unleashed a glorious curling left-foot shot from outside of the box to beat Bobby Jones in the Curzon goal, with the strike being worthy of the entrance money.
Kidderminster made a number of substitutions while Curzon plugged away and created some half-chances without causing any real danger to Harriers.
Picture by Marcus Mingins 1725005MMR4
Hemmings completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot on 78 minutes after Joe Foulkes had his feet taken from underneath him as he powered into the penalty box on the right.
The tireless Morgan-Smith was substituted to a deserved standing ovation as Harriers ran out worthy 3-0 winners to claim three more vital points and maintain the pressure at the top.
Kidderminster play Rushall Olympic on Friday, April 18 with kick-off 3.00pm at Dales Lane.
