MATCH REPORT FROM sgb

Today was evidence of how life in the Conference can leave you feeling robbed - both on and off the pitch.
At the start of the afternoon, seventy-seven Southport supporters, travelling to Kidderminster for the first time in five years were astonished to find themselves paying an entrance fee £3 more than the home fans.
And by the time an entertaining spectacle had elapsed, the ‘Port followers were again left feeling cheated, as a late Wayne Hatswell equaliser denied their dogged side a full three points.
Although, on the balance of play, the hosts undoubtedly deserved a share of the spoils, it still remained bitter outcome for the journeying Sandgrounders to accept after performing admirably and defending stoutly prior to the dying embers.
Much-troubled off the field, Kidderminster still talk of themselves as promotion candidates following their relegation last season. So beneath any initial disappointment, must be a heartening sense of satisfaction and more encouraging signs of progression for the Sandgrounders after obtaining four points in consecutive matches against sides who hold themselves in such esteem.
At a glance, it appears Harriers have the infrastructure and facilities fit to host League football. But only the test of time will determine whether Stuart Watkiss’ side have the capabilities on the field to defy the odds and emanate swiftly out of the Conference. Thier five points to date have not done much to appease the expectant Aggborough faithful, but judging by the way results have been spread after matchday four, we could be in for much more evenly-contested competition this time around.
Only nine points were taken away from Kidderminster during the whole of their last Conference stint and for the two sides, divorced by forty places in the league standings at this stage last season, to be inseparable after ninety-minutes is an encouraging indication in itself for the visitors.
Kidderminster began buoyantly, with Gareth Sheldon the first to test the Southport defence, forcing a scrambling save from goalkeeper Steve Dickinson from a looping free-kick. And their promising opening extended when Wayne Hatswell shot wide before Iyseden Christie followed with an early contender for miss of the season. He inexplicably fluffed his lines from less than a yard out after Dickinson had foiled Simon Russell.
After an initial settling-down period, it was the lively Sandgrounders who began to force the issue, as a fierce close-range drive from Steve Daly was beaten away by John Danby, before the home ‘keeper was again alert to keep out Carl Baker’s effort.
Southport recorded a performance full of gusto and after Wilson tried his luck for Kiddy, midfielder Dominic Krief fired at Danby before skipper Pickford flashed wide.
Sporting a commemorative away shirt to mark a century at Haig Avenue, the Nationwide North champions continued to press and when Steve Daly gave the part-timers the lead in first-half stoppage time, the extra few quid on the entrance fee suddenly seemed well worth paying.
An incisive through-ball from Pickford split a static home defence, allowing Daly to find his bearings after narrowly beating the off-side trap, before slotting past ‘keeper Danby.
Kidderminster upped the tempo shortly after the interval and once Russell had shot wide, a foul by Earl Davis on Christie inside the area gave the hosts an opportunity the level from the spot on the hour.
But goalkeeper Steve Dickinson has a canny knack of producing vital penalty stops and he didn’t disappoint on this occasion – producing a remarkable save from Sheldon. As he dived, the keeper’s vertically-raised hand sent the firmly-struck central kick looping over the crossbar, to the disbelief of all.
Despite his untimely challenge, the Sandgrounders’ rearguard was impressively marshaled by Earl Davis who creditably diluted the threat of Christie and substitute Taiwo Atieno.
For Southport, Daly’s low venomous drive again found Danby and once Kiddy’s Simon Heslop struck wide, it looked like Davis and his team-mates would emerge with their first clean sheet of the new term.
But it was again the hosts’ frailty at set-pieces that ultimately proved costly, and things could have been made worse.
After Kilbane had scraped Christie’s effort off the line, the hosts leveled from the resulting corner. Russell’s deep centre found the head of former Chester defender Wayne Hatswell, who struck downwards and into the net.
And the Sandgrounders’ fallibility was almost further compounded, but this time Hatswell’s effort from an identical position was scrambled away in stoppage time.

(Alan Jones)

Southport.gb.com Match Facts:

Southport: (4-4-2) 1. Steve Dickinson, 19. Chris Lane, 6. Earl Davis, 12. Farrell Kilbane, 3. Jerome Fitzgerald, 5. Carl Baker, 18. Dominic Krief, 2. Steve Pickford, 11. Kevin Leadbetter (20. Matthew McGinn '85), 8. Neil Robinson (14. Kevin Lynch '89), 11. Steve Daly (9. Terry Fearns '79).
Unused Substitutes: 15. Jamie Speare, 21. Robbie Booth

Referee: R. Shoebridge

Attendance: 1,753

Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: Earl Davis

Final Score: Kidderminster Harriers 1, Southport 1
Possession: Kidderminster Harriers 61%, Southport 39%
Shots on Target: Kidderminster Harriers 4, Southport 6
Shots off Target: Kidderminster Harriers 10, Southport 3
Corners: Kidderminster Harriers 11, Southport 2
Fouls Committed: Kidderminster Harriers 12, Southport 18
Bookings: Kidderminster Harriers 1, Southport 2
Sent-Off: Kidderminster Harriers 0, Southport 0

KIDDERMINSTER

HARRIERS 1 SOUTHPORT 1

BY RON ELLIS

The team gave a creditable performance at the impressive Aggborough Stadium on Saturday to earn a 1-1 draw against an experienced Kidderminster Harriers side newly relegated from Division Three.

The 70 plus travelling fans were less than enamoured of the facilities when they were made to pay £16 to sit in the stands when home fans were charged £13.

Man of the match, Dickinson was in fantastic form, starting in the 18^th minute when he diverted Gareth Sheldon’s 20 yard deflected shot.

Southport shaded the first half although Iyseden Christie should have opened the scoring for Harriers on the half hour when he sidefooted wide with the goal gaping in front of him.

In first half stoppage time Daly made it 3 goals in 4 games when he ran onto a Baker pass and slotted the ball past John Danby to put The Sandgrounders ahead despite strident calls for offside from the opposition.

A key moment came on the hour when Earl Davis, a Trojan in the visitors’ defence, was adjudged to have fouled Christie in the box although, to many spectators, it appeared to be the opposite way round. Justice was done, however. Sheldon watched incredulously as Dickinson seemed to halt in mid air and stick out a firm hand to push his well-struck penalty over the bar, a save that will be talked about for years to come.

As the second half progressed, Southport found themselves retreating from the home side’s pressure and the equaliser came in the 84^th minute when Russell’s corner was headed textbook style onto the ground and into the net by Wayne Hatswell.

In extra time, only Kilbane on the line prevented an undeserved Kidderminster winner from an identical situation.

‘A fair result against a side packed with quality players who will be near the top of the table by the end of the season,’ declared Liam Watson, who added that Daly’s goal was definitely onside.