Grays Athletic in 2-0 defeat at Kidderminster

Kidderminster Harriers 2, Grays Athletic 0

DESPITE turning in one of their better performances of the season Grays slipped to yet another Blue Square Premier defeat at Kidderminster and they are now second bottom, four points adrift of safety.

With a 4-5-1 formation, Grays hoped to stifle the creativity out of promotion chasing Harriers and for a while it worked, with Stuart Thurgood back to his “Captain Marvel” best as he harried and chased everything.

However, Kiddy soon worked out they were able to get round the back of the Blues quite easily and with former Grays loanee Justin Richards in bullish form, Jamie Stuart’s back line were being stretched.

In the 15th minute he rose above the defence to place his header just over the bar while Matthew Barnes-Horner should have done better when in space.

Grays’ new signing Scott Forrester was working well up on his home. In the 21st minute he was put through by Ishmael Welsh but his shot and every subsequent attempt went wide. Chances were few and far between and Harriers’ defence were superb and each defensive clearance always seemed to find a home shirt.

Despite the Kiddy pressure at the other end Grays looked like they had weathered the storm. Two superb saves from David Button had given Blues hope but in the 38th minute, Richards rose above the Grays defence to head home the opener from Martin Brittain's cross.

Grays dominated the early part of the second half as Kidderminster gave them acres of space. Damian Batt produced a series of searing runs and passes from left back but Welsh seemed reluctant to get to the dead ball line.

The drought in front of goal for attackers continued and when Scott Forrrester missed the target with a free header six yards out, it was going to cost them dear.

Kenny Beaney had been the weakest link for Grays continually giving away possession. In the 58th he fatally dithered outside his box, Barnes-Horner seized upon the chance to put the ball away and the game beyond doubt.

Grays continued to dominate the rest of the game with fine possession football but time and time again they had no cutting edge. An Elliott free kick was well blocked by Harriers and Grays man of the match Thurgood never gave up but with the gap to safety widening they have to strike now before the chasm becomes unbridgeable.

After the game, Blues boss Wayne Burnett said: “We did enough to take a point but their attackers took their chances well and we didn’t.”

Kidderminster: Bartlett, Lowe, Creighton, Reilly, Baker (Bennett 79), Brittain, Penn, Ferrell, Smikle, Richards (Knights 83), Barnes-Homer (Moore 83). Subs Not Used: Coleman, McDermott.

Grays Athletic: Button, Davis, Gier, Stuart, Batt, Cogan, Thurgood, Elliott, Welsh, Deany (Gray 62), Forrester. Subs Not Used: Dayes, Sloma, Arnold, Wilnis.

Att: 1,400.

Ref: M Heywood.