Ebbsfleet United went into this match with nothing to lose, playing away to the form side, and 2nd in the League Kidderminster Harriers. The hosts had won their previous 6 matches and have recorded an amazing 45 points from a possible 51 after a bad start to the season. Unfortunately a spirited performance wasn't enough as the Harriers ran out 3-2 winners at Aggborough.
The 'Fleet were forced to make changes to the team who lost 3-1 to Grimsby with youngsters Tobi Alabi and Dami Shitta coming in for the injured Stefan Payne and Craig Stone. The bench remained the same which meant there was still no place for youngster Tom Phipp.
The game began and it was quite an open affair with both sides having the ball, without really creating any clear opportunities, although there was one chance falling to the visitors as Alabi was through on goal only to see his effort go way wide of the goal. It didn't take long for the first goal to arrive. An optimistic shot from outside the box was palmed up into the air by the Kiddy keeper and the ball dropped into the net, in the 13th minute of the game. It made a change for the 'Fleet not to give away an early goal but the lead didn't last long as just a minute later, the hosts were level. Preston Edwards was fouled as he went to claim the ball and the ball fell nicely for James Vincent to strike home from 8 yards out. The old "play to the whistle" phrase should have been followed as the 'Fleet defenders were waiting for a foul to be given, Vincent had all the time in the world to pick his spot.
The young midfielder almost doubled his, and Harriers', tally soon after as he was put through on goal only to see his effort saved down low by Edwards. Josh Scott could have put the visitors ahead but like Alabi, put his effort wide of the goal. Ashley Carew's well struck free kick was well held by Lewis. Kyle Storer went close with a free kick, his effort brushing the side netting. The save of the match came just before the break with Marvin Johnson's low cross made it to the six yard box where Greg Pearson got on the end of it. The ball looked destined for the net until an excellent reflex save from Edwards stopped the hosts from taking the lead for a little while longer.
HT: Kidderminster Harriers 1-1 Ebbsfleet United.
Neither side were playing like their league position would suggest in that first half. The Harriers came out all guns blazing in the second half though. It took just a couple of minutes for the first chance to arrive as Anthony Malbon chased down a ball on the left wing before putting in a delightful cross. Pearson was there waiting for it but his header struck the upright. Whatever Burr said to his team at half-time certainly worked as Kiddy looked a totally different side in the second half. Storer and Keith Briggs spurned good chances soon after.
The Harriers deservedly took the lead just after the hour mark as an awful piece of defending allowed Malbon to nick in and sweep into the empty net. The young striker is on an exceptional run of form of late, this goal was his 7th in his last 6 matches. The noise levels rose around Aggborough as the Kiddy fans were woken up as they took the lead.
The home side almost made it 3 soon after as that man Malbon drew another fantastic save from Edwards as he palmed the effort away from the 6 yard box. The ball rolled to the edge of the area and an incoming Lee Vaughen smashed his effort over the bar.
The introduction of Nathan Elder was a sigh of relief to the travelling 'Fleet fans. The top scorer was on the bench for the fifth game in a row. The former Brentford man didn't take long to get into the game as a ball into the box saw him head over the bar from 6 yards out with no defender near him. The 'Fleet were denied a penalty when a cross saw the ball strike the defenders arm as he had them out in front of him.
Substitute Callum Gittings scored his first goal of the season to put the Harriers 3-1 up in the 88th minute. Ryan Rowe's ball through to him was expertly finished, leaving Edwards with no chance of saving it. Josh Gowling, who was having a good game, fouled Elder in the box to give the visitors a chance to reduce the defecit to just one. The number 9 dusted himself off and sent 'keeper Lewis the wrong way. With four minutes added on, the 'Fleet put the hosts under pressure, but it wasn't to be as Josh Scott blasted the final kick of the game over the bar.
With Wrexham only drawing to Alfreton, Harriers are now level on points with the Welsh outfit at the top end of the League while the 'Fleet remain 23rd but are now 5 points from safety and face a tough trip to Wrexham midweek. Kiddy travel to York's Bootham Crescent to face Gateshead.
Kidderminster:
Lewis, L Vaughen, Demetriou, Dunkley, Gowling, Storer, Vincent, Briggs (Gittings - 76), Malbon (Devaney - 90), Johnson, Pearson (Rowe - 82).
Subs not used: N Vaughen, Williams.
Ebbsfleet:
Edwards, Howe, Lorraine, Saville, Gwillim, Barrett, Carew, Shitta (Bellamy - 81), Marum (Azeez - 82), Scott, Alabi (Elder - 64).
Subs not used: Menz, Walsh.
Attendance: 2,048 (47 away).
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