KIDDERMINSTER Harriers produced a commanding team performance to beat league leaders AFC Fylde 1-0 with a clinical Reece Devine strike, writes Neil Gordon.
Harriers ended the Coasters impressive away winning run with their sixth home league win of the season, while also adding to their statement victory over South Shields.
A plethora of Reds players had chances to score including returning fan-favourite Ashley Hemmings, Emeka Obi, David Davis and Ryley Reynolds, while goalkeeper Christian Dibble enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon.
For Fylde, Danny Omerod and Tom Whelan – twice, carved out chances with the visitors otherwise tamed.
A crowd of 2,667 at Aggborough saw Kidderminster go fourth in National League North on 37 points.
Devine clinically beat Zac Jones in the Fylde goal at his near post on six minutes, to finish off a move which had started in the Harriers half.
Fylde hit back with Whelan firing over after Omerod’s shot from a tight angle had beaten Dibble and cannoned off the post.
The Reds responded back with Hemmings twice testing Jones as lively Harriers remained on the front-foot.
Late in the half Reynolds’ free-kick created a scramble inside the Fylde box with Hemmings’ blocked strike being cleared for a corner.
Obi went down under a challenge from the resulting set-piece but the referee ignored penalty claims, while Hemmings shot over after more determined Obi play.
After the interval Kidderminster remained dominant with Obi trying his luck, while in a rare foray forwards, Whelan’s free-kick saw Dibble getting a strong fist to the ball.
And the excellent Davis fired narrowly wide from distance, while Reynolds and then Luke Spokes were both denied by great saves, as Kidderminster saw out time to deservedly collect maximum points.
Kidderminster play Hereford on Friday, December 26, with kick-off 3pm at Edgar Street.
