Chorley suffer home defeat at hands of Kidderminster

This was a National League North battle royal in incessant rain at Victory Park, the outcome settled by two goals from Harriers’ Omari Sterling-James as the visitors enjoyed a purple patch in the last five minutes of the first half.
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Chorley certainly had their chances, notably in an electrifying start, but they had no luck in front of goal.

It wasn’t a case of poor finishing so much as that the ball seemingly just would not go in for the Magpies.

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Having weathered the early Chorley storm, Kidderminster grabbed their goals at just the right time to build confidence for a potential second-half rearguard action.

Cardwell's header is disallowed (photo: Stefan Willoughby)Cardwell's header is disallowed (photo: Stefan Willoughby)
Cardwell's header is disallowed (photo: Stefan Willoughby)

And they embraced the task with great resolution to hold onto their advantage.

In a blistering opening, Mike Calveley saw his fierce drive held overhead by keeper Luke Simpson, Harry Cardwell had a headed ‘goal’ disallowed for an infringement and Olly Shenton’s terrific low drive was cleared off the line with Simpson beaten.

Bur gradually Harriers grew significantly into the game and the home defence more than once looked stretched in dealing with incisive raids.

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The visitors’ pressure finally paid off with a slice of fortune, a commodity in short supply for the hosts.

Following a corner in the 40th minute, Sterling-James tried a snapshot which took a big deflection and looped beyond Matt Urwin into the net.

As Chorley hit back, a powerful effort from Andy Halls following a corner was headed off the line.

To the Magpies’ dismay, Harriers promptly raced to the other end and, from a searching right-wing centre, Sterling-James had a well-struck shot cleared off the line but left Urwin standing after collecting the rebound.

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Chorley resumed brightly after the interval and Elliot Newby fired into the side-net after a smart build-up. Cardwell shot straight at Simpson before Newby was unlucky to get the ball past the keeper only for it to slow up in the mud and be cleared by a defender.

The much-needed goal looked to have arrived but Calveley’s humdinger from close range produced a stunning reflex save from Simpson.

It was by no means all Chorley, however, and Sterling-James missed out on a hat-trick by fractions.

Scott Leather lost out in midfield to the striker who raced away with only the advancing Urwin to beat but saw his lob clip the top of the crossbar.

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Late attempts by the Magpies lacked either direction or power and the Harriers hung on well for the three points.

CHORLEY: Urwin, Birch, Leather, Halls, Baines (Conn-Clarke 71), Walker, Newby, Calveley, Shenton, Cardwell (Marah 84), Reilly (Rodwell-Grant 59). Subs (not used): Smith, Baxter.