Report: Harriers continue Reds slump

Picture by Paul France

Alfreton Town battled but ultimately fell to a third league defeat in a row and a fifth loss in the last six, as Kidderminster ran out deserved winners at Aggborough on Tuesday night.

The Reds were hit by a Cliff Moyo header from a corner on 27 minutes as he headed into the bottom corner. Ashley Hemmings then added a second half brace with a far post header and a 20 yard finish into an empty net to leave the Reds in a real struggle for form.

Harriers started with an electric tempo and former Red Amari Morgan-Smith drew a foul from James Jones, Ashley Hemmings took the free kick which George Willis claimed. Nathan Fox had a good run down the left as he beat several challenges but his cross was blocked on the left.

Hemmings cut inside and fired wide of the near post as the hosts had their first effort of the game. The Reds were still working their way into the game and managing the Harriers press, Hemmings turned Fox down the right but his shot lacked power as Jones cleared, up the other end Elliott Reeves couldn't quite slide in Josh Clackstone.

There was a scramble from a Reds free kick which Fox delivered, Connor Branson had a shot blocked before Simpson collected following a brief scramble. Willis punched a Kiddy corner before Clackstone fired wide of the far post from just inside the box.

Alfreton were matching the hosts despite the slick attacking build up, we stayed firm and remained organised. Willis raced out well to block an effort from Morgan-Smith, but from the resulting corner Cliff Moyo headed into the bottom corner as he rose highest to give the hosts the lead after 27.

Austin fired over the bar before Jake Day had a chance inside the box, Clackstone's cross was nodded down by Reeves at the back post, Day saw his shot blocked by Richards in the box, Dan Bradley looked to squirm the loose ball in but Kidderminster survived.

Hemmings cross flashed across the face of the box before Bradley's shot was blocked from the edge of the area which allowed for an easy catch for Simpson.

The second half saw Harriers press us again, Jones with a crucial clearance in the box to deny Sterling's low cross. The Harriers winger then came close with a curling effort from 25 yards which went just wide of the post as he twisted and turned into space.

Day's first touch let him down inside the box from Clackstone's cross, Reeves then cut inside but saw his shot blocked away.

Willis saved from Maxwell's low shot, Sterling was hounding the Reds on the left and got himself past Clackstone but his cross took a touch off Smith as Willis claimed. Reeves showed great feet again minutes later as we looked for an equaliser, the Reds forward nut-megged his man but is cross was cleared to Bradley who saw his low strike saved by Simpson.

Lowe headed a Hemmings free kick over at the near post before the hosts winger headed in a second at the far post from Sterling's deep cross to make it 2-0 on 70. The Reds found themselves just unable to create a big chance in the final third with most of our attempts just half-chances. Despite Alfreton competing throughout the game, it was the hosts forward play that proved the difference.

Bobby Johnson had a shot blocked on the edge of the box before James Jones headed wide from a cross on the right. However it was 3-0 on 87 as a goal kick from Willis was intercepted by Maxwell, the interception fell for Hemmings 20 yards out and he hit the ball first time into the empty net with Willis out of position.

The final goal summed up the Reds display with mistakes once again costing us, despite this Alfreton lacked the cutting edge in front of goal and will be disappointed with the goals that were conceded yet again. The Reds will be in desperate need to turn the form around and avoid a fourth straight defeat as we head to Southport on Saturday, kick off is 3pm behind closed doors.

ATFCXI: Willis, Clackstone, Fox, Branson (Clarke 66), Lees, Jones, Smith, Bradley (c), Day (Johnson 71), Reeves (Walker 76), Atkinson.

Subs Not Used: Lund, Unwin-Marris.

Attendance: Behind Closed Doors