FOOTBALL: PROMOTION hopefuls Kidderminster Harriers were held to a 1-1 draw at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium as Brakes extended their unbeaten league run to four games.
Saturday marked the first time both sides met at Leamington for a league game in 35 years, and a large following of fans from Worcestershire made the trip to Harbury Lane.
Leamington started Saturday’s game in positive style, quickly creating the first chance on goal when the returning Kaine Felix hit a first time drive towards the top corner – only for Harriers’ keeper Brandon Hall to palm it behind for a corner.
Hall was called into action again when Kieran Dunbar’s drive was saved.
Brakes could’ve scored from a corner when a ball into the box by Dunbar was met by Callum Gittings, whose effort from six yards missed edged wide.
Kidderminster weathered Brakes’ storm and were soon creating their own chances.
Defender James Pearson struck a shot which went high and wide before a high ball towards Tony Breedan caught the Leamington keeper out, Breedan eventually tipping the ball onto the crossbar before reclaiming it.
The visitors took the lead against the run of play on 27 minutes when Andre Brown fired a shot from the right that looked to have taken a deflection as it looped into the far corner.
Kidderminster’s goal inspired further efforts before half time, but Holleran’s men held on and remained a goal down at the whistle.
Breedan was called upon at the start of the second half when James O’Connor’s long range drive was saved while at the other end Jack Edwards’ strike deflected into the arms of Hall.
Leamington equalised on 57 minutes when Obeng took advantage of Harriers’ backline to drive a low shot past Hall, who could only get a faint hand to it.
Edwards got another shot away that was saved by Hall after a run towards the edge of the box, with Dunbar and Felix possibly in better positions.
The Brakes favourite was then forced off the pitch with a nasty gash to his ankle.
Felix went close to putting Brakes ahead moments later, only Lee Vaughan on the goal line denied Leamington the lead.
Leamington peppered Harriers’ net with chances, but it wasn’t to be as the game ended 1-1 – both teams earning a point.
Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Richard Taundry, Connor Gudger, Joe Clarke, Jamie Hood, Junior English, Kieran Dunbar, Callum Gittings, Kaine Felix (16 Kurtis Revan, 80), Jack Edwards (15 Liam Canavan, 70), Ahmed Obeng (14 Joe Magunda, 90+).
Kidderminster Harriers: Brandon Hall, James Pearson, Joel Taylor (17 Lee Vaughan, 62), Ryan Croasdale ©, Fraser Horsfall, James O’Connor, Andre Brown, James McQuilkin, Joe Ironside, Elton Ngwatala, Liam Truslove (15 Daniel Bradley, 62).
Attendance: 912.
