ASHLEY Hemmings scored a hat-trick as Kidderminster Harriers beat struggling Needham Market 4-1 to keep the pressure on leaders Scunthorpe United, writes Neil Gordon.
Hemmings scored in the first-half before adding two more strikes after the interval, either side of a Maz Kouhyar goal at Aggborough.
For Needham Market, Seth Chambers scored a second-half consolation but the visitors otherwise failed to trouble the home defence.
The result means Kidderminster move up to third in the National League North table, ahead of Chester on goal difference and five points behind leaders Scunthorpe with a game in-hand.
A 3,263-strong crowd, the club’s second biggest home league attendance of the season watched on as Harriers completed a double over struggling Needham on Non-League Day.
Needham missed a glorious chance to open the scoring when Luke Ingram glanced a header wide at the back post from a free-kick with the game just two minutes old.
Harriers soon settled as Ryley Reynolds won possession in midfield before sending the ball across goal from the left with nobody in a red shirt able to meet the cross.
And Kam Kandola then saw his low drive was cleared off the line following a corner before Hemmings forced Needham goalkeeper Marcus Garnham into a fine save after good work from Reiss McNally.
However, Hemmings eventually broke the deadlock on 33 minutes when he curled home a delightful shot after Zak Brown’s clever backheel set up the chance.
After the restart, the referee halted proceedings as a home supporter required medical treatment in the South Stand, resulting in medical staff from both clubs attending.
The match resumed after a brief delay only for an injury to Kandola to disrupt play further with David Davis introduced in his place.
After the interval Garnham denied Zak Brown with his feet before Reynolds sent a long-range effort over the crossbar.
Hemmings added his second goal to put Harriers in command with a clinical finish at the near post on 63 minutes following an excellent three-man move.
And Kouhyar struck seven minutes later with a fierce strike from a short corner to add to his match-winner against leaders Scunthorpe last midweek.
Needham grabbed a consolation goal on 77 minutes when Chambers strode into the box and fired through the legs of Christian Dibble.
However, Hemmings completed his hat-trick in stoppage time as Dibble’s superb kick picked out the scorer inside the Needham half who ran through and found the net despite the best efforts of Garnham.
Kidderminster are next in action against Brackley Town on Tuesday, March 25 with kick-off at 7.45pm at St. James Park.
