KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are just one game away from returning to the National League after beating Macclesfield 3-1 in the National League North play-off semi-finals, writes Neil Gordon.
Richard Faakye opened the scoring before Kieren Donnelly put the Reds in the driving seat on half-time, while Seb Thompson sealed Kidderminster’s place in the play-off final against South Shields late on.
For Macclesfield, Luke Matheson scored a consolation at the death but it wasn’t to be for the FA Cup giant-killers.
An Aggborough season-high attendance of 4,426, including 1,001 visiting supporters, saw Kidderminster record a seventh consecutive victory.
Faakye was cautioned inside the opening minute for his challenge on James Edmondson, while Donnelly shot tamely at Rogan Ravenhill in the visitors’ goal from the edge of the box.
Donnelly then superbly robbed Cameron Borthwick-Jackson of possession and stormed goalwards only to shoot wide.
Faakye delivered the crucial breakthrough on 34 minutes during a goalmouth scramble from a corner to score his first goal for the club.
As half-time approached Donnelly headed just wide at the back post after a superb passing move.
Donnelly refused to be denied and in stoppage time he ignited huge celebrations when firing home at the back post to bury George Walker’s cross to put Harriers two goals ahead.
After the interval Macclesfield failed to find a way back and substitute Thompson booked Kidderminster’s place in the final after great work by Amari Morgan-Smith and Brayden Johnson.
And Matheson grabbed a stoppage-time consolation for Macclesfield, but it was Kidderminster’s day and they deservedly earned the right to be just 90 minutes away from returning to non-league’s top flight.
Kidderminster play South Shields at the First Cloud Arena on Saturday, May 9. Kick-off is 12.30pm.
