SATURDAY 27th OCTOBER 2007

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 3 v 1 VAUXHALL MOTORS

F.A. CUP 4th QUALIFYING ROUND

Vauxhall’s hopes of further F. A. Cup glory and a place in the First Round, were dashed in the second half at the Aggborough Stadium on Saturday at the final hurdle, having led their full-time hosts at the interval.

Without Jordan Holmes, Jonathan Egerton, Joe McMahon and Alan Griffiths through injury, the Motormen got off to a slow start, but quickly found their feet.  The first shot on target of the contest came from Dave Roberts and shortly after Paul Taylor drove just over the bar, both in the opening ten minutes. 

Visiting keeper Sean Lake made a superb save to keep out an effort from Justin Richards midway through the opening half, pushing the effort on to the bar, and on 31 minutes, Motors took the lead just seconds after home keeper Chris MacKenzie made a smart save to deny the lively Taylor, who wriggled his way into the box.

Roberts beat the offside calls on the left wing and burst away before picking his spot to perfection from just inside the area.  And had it not been for MacKenzie, Steve Johnson might well have extended that advantage six minutes later, following a speedy breakaway by the midfielder. 

But on the resumption, Harriers introduced Mike McGrath and upped the tempo and just six minutes into the second period, had drawn level, when Matt Barnes-Homer produced an inch-perfect header from a right wing cross to equalise from 15 yards, giving Lake no chance.

From there on, the hosts dictated play.  Richards volleyed just inches over, Lake made a fine save to keep out the improving Mick Blackwood and Rob Marsh-Evans cleared off his line when Richards was left in acres of space.  But on 75 minutes, “Kiddie” eased themselves in front for the first time, when Richards applied the final header to Blackwood’s cross from the left, from six yards out.

Two minutes later, McGrath shaved the top of the Motors bar, and with the visitors chasing the game in the final few minutes, the same home player finally got his reward, to clinch their place in the First Round draw four minutes from time.

Vauxhall: Lake, Hitchen (Wignall 80), Marsh-Evans, Field, Kelly, Hotte (Wright 84), Garrity, Heler, Roberts, Johnson (Dames 67), Taylor.  Sub not used: Smith, Clarke.