STUART Watkiss praised a ‘battling performance’ from Kidderminster Harriers following victory at Radcliffe in midweek.
Harriers secured a fourth straight league win at Neuven Stadium as Brayden Johnson, Kieren Donnelly and Ryley Reynolds all found the net for Adam Murray’s side.
The result means play-off bound Kidderminster sit third in the National League North table with two matches left to play.
Harriers boss Murray and Radcliffe manager Bernard Morley both received red cards during the half time break following an altercation between the two sets of players in the tunnel area.
Reflecting on the win, Kidderminster assistant boss Watkiss praised his side’s battling display in the rearranged fixture.
Watkiss said: “It’s a great result and a battling performance, you have to battle when you come to places like Radcliffe.
“We weren’t quite at it in the first half, there were elements within the structure and set up that weren’t quite right.
“But we made the most of our chances and the second half was a thoroughly battling performance, maybe we could have scored another couple [of goals].
“To have that semi-final at home [in the play-offs] in front of our supporters, we have to get there first, we’ve got to get points.
“We can look forward to the next two games, we’re nearly there but we’re not there yet.”
Loanee Johnson scored his first goal for the club since arriving on loan at Aggborough from Middlesbrough in March.
And Watkiss believes the teenage midfielder will only improve heading into the play-offs.
Watkiss added: “He’s full of energy, that’s a big strength of his game, he can cover all parts of the pitch and he was in the right place at the right time.
“Hopefully, now he’s got that he can get some more [goals] under his belt.
“He’s still going to get better as these last three or four matches we have left go on.
“He’s finding his feet, he’s finding his rhythm, I think everybody can tell he’s a good player.
“The occasions don’t seem to bother him, he’s got the temperament and takes it all in his stride.”
Kidderminster are next in action against Leamington on Saturday, April 18 with kick-off at 3pm at the Your Co-op Community Stadium.
