KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are just one game away from claiming the Vanarama National League North title after comprehensively beating Hereford 5-1 in their penultimate fixture, writes Neil Gordon.
The Reds will be crowned champions and gain promotion back to the National League at the first attempt next Saturday if they can better the results of Brackley Town and Scunthorpe United, when they face Southport at The Big Help Stadium.
David Worrall gave Harriers the perfect start with his early strike and Amari Morgan-Smith doubled their advantage at Aggborough, before Omari Sterling-James’s individual brilliance grabbed a first-half life-line for Hereford.
However, a second-half double from Maz Kouhyar against his former club put Harriers in command, before Morgan-Smith grabbed his second and Kidderminster’s fifth at the death.
Kidderminster remain top the Vanarama National League North table on 89 points, joint with Brackley Town, but ahead on superior goal difference of plus 22.
A sell-out season-high attendance of 5,341 watched on at Aggborough as Kidderminster completed a double over their Edgar Street rivals and secured a tenth win in 12 unbeaten games.
No sooner had the Harriers supporters taken their seats they were back on their feet when Worrall curled home a glorious shot after just 95 seconds to send Aggborough wild.
Morgan-Smith then doubled Harriers lead on 18 minutes after linking up superbly with Ashley Hemmings.
The move started deep in the home half with a throw-in to Hereford which the visitors cleared up to Hemmings. He flicked the ball on to Morgan-Smith who played a one-two with Hemmings. Morgan-Smith ploughed forwards and dispatched a firm shot past advancing Hereford goalkeeper Theo Richardson to get the Harriers supporters celebrating again.
Reece Devine then whipped a low ball across the Hereford goal and Zak Brown forced a save with the visitors unable to clear their lines.
Hereford went forwards and won a free-kick on the right which Sterling-James brilliantly dispatched home from fully 35 yards to ignite a huge roar from the 1,083 travelling Bulls supporters in the South Stand.
As the interval approached Matt Preston headed wide at the back post from a free-kick for Hereford and Ashley Hemmings shot over the bar for Kidderminster.
The Reds went 3-1 ahead early in the second-half when Maz Kouhyar finished off a sweeping move with aplomb in front of an ecstatic North Stand to put Harriers further in front.
Kouhyar struck again ten minutes later to make it 4-1 with a header at the back post from a deep cross after numerous stoppages, substitutions and yellow cards.
On the hour mark the flood-lights came on ahead of a heavy downpour which left the pitch sodden for the remainder of the game.
And deep into eight minutes stoppage time the tireless Morgan-Smith grabbed his second goal to seal a powerful 5-1 victory and secure another vital three points in Harriers quest to claim the Vanarama National League North title.
Kidderminster play Southport on Saturday, April 26 at the Big Help Stadium with kick-off at 3pm.
