Report by Oliver Parkin
Following an exciting FA Cup weekend, these two sides returned to National League action. It was all square at Aggborough Stadium, with the Harriers taking the lead shortly after half-time before John McGrath’s substitutions proved pivotal: seconds after coming on, debutant Chris Sze and Amari Morgan-Smith combined for the equaliser.
John McGrath’s side made a lively start to the game as, in the 4th minute, Raheem Conte made a darting run through the Kidderminster back line before laying off Connor Douglas, who couldn’t make the most of the opportunity.
The Shaymen continued to push for an opener as Conor Carty hit a brilliant volley from 25 yards out, just before the 10-minute mark, but the excellent effort was met by an even better save onto the post from the Kidderminster goalkeeper Jack Wint.
Play was then halted in the 13th minute as Ben Crompton of Kidderminster was down after a collision with Carty; then, to his fury, he was told to leave the field for a period before returning.
Conte once again broke down the left-hand side in the 21st minute before floating another cross to the back post that couldn’t find a Town head and went away for an FC Halifax corner.
Conte one more time with another great crossing delivery in the 27th minute, but once more the Town forward line couldn’t convert it.
The home side’s first real chance came in the 28th minute when Layton Campbell drove down the right-hand side before unleashing his effort from just outside the penalty area, just too far wide of Grant’s right post.
Once again, number Campbell broke away down the Shaymen’s right-hand side in the 39th minute, but he couldn’t match his perfect run with a perfect cross as it was deflected and away for a corner.
Kidderminster Harriers continued their strong form into the second half and broke the deadlock in the 48th minute. Sam Austin, made an excellent run behind the Town defence before sending a low, driven cross across the six-yard box, which was tapped home by Lewis Walker.
The first substitution of the game was made by John McGrath in the 60th minute when Zak Gilsenan entered the field in place of Will Hugill.
A double substitution was quickly followed by the Shaymen, with Connor Carty and Ben Tollitt leaving the field in place of debutant Chris Sze and former Harriers forwared Amari Morgan-Smith.
The paired substitution then proved to be perfect as seconds after the two came on, Morgan-Smith set up Sze for a lovely chip over the keeper and a debut goal in the 67th minute of play.
The Harriers then made their first substitution just before the 75th minute, with Layton Cambell leaving the field in place of Reece Hall.
In the 79th minute, Max Kouhyar let off a powerful shot from the edge of the box towards the top left corner but was equally met by True Grant.
The referee handed out his first yellow card in the 83rd minute to Kidderminster defender Crompton following a poorly timed challenge.
Shaun Hobson then received a booking in the 95th minute, just before the referee blew his whistle to conclude the one-all draw after a lacklustre last 10 minutes of play.
Town will face Liversedge on Tuesday night in the West Riding County Cup before the next league game will see John McGrath’s side take on Woking FC at 3 pm, live at the Shay Stadium.
Kidderminster Harriers
1 Jack Wint, 4 Cian Harries, 5 Angus MacDonald, 6 Richard Faakye, 8 Ben Crompton, 9 Lewis Walker (16 Bruce Minaker 80), 20 Cameron Hargreaves, 26 David Davis ©, 29 Maz Kouhyar, 30 Sam Austin, 32 Layton Campbell (2 Reece Hall 75)
Subs: 13 Josh Bishop, 7 Max Brogan, 14 Zak Brown, 15 Michael Reindorf, 22 Oliver Tipton
FC Halifax Town
33 True Grant, 3 Raheem Conte, 4 Will Hugill (10 Zak Gilsenan 59), 5 Shaun Hobson ©, 8 Will Flint, 9 Conor Carty (14 Amari Morgan-Smith 66), 11 Connor Douglas, 17 Ben Tollitt (18 Chris Sze 66), 20 Tayt Trusty, 27 Cruz Allen (24 Tommy McDermott 85), 31 Lucas Houghton
Subs: 13 Kobe Mathers, 6 Mackenzie Maltby, 16 Deniche Hill
Referee: Garreth Rhodes
Goals: Walker 49, Sze 67
Yellow Cards: Crompton 83, Davis 90. Hobson 90
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 2936 (166 away)
Kidderminster Harriers 1 FC Halifax Town 1
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