The Report: Kidderminster Harriers 1-1 Birmingham City

A fortunate Blues side grabbed a late equaliser at non league Kidderminster Harriers today, ex Villa defender and current trialist Shane Lowery fired in a late 86th minute header to avoid Blues any embarrassment at Aggborough.

Blues could have taken an early lead through Winger Demarai Gray, the young winger burst forward and rounded the Harriers keeper Darren Snedeker, Gray’s eventually shot was way off target and was cleared away by Kevin Lamgmead.

Harriers then stamped there own mark on the first half, Striker Reece Styche should have put the non league side in front after some lovely work from him to get past Paul Robinson, he fired miserably wide of Adam Legzdins left.

Gray looked lively for Blues and set up further chances. Firstly he fired well wide after skipping neatly past 3 Kidderminster players, whilst he also broke through down the left to set up Lee Novak, who’s eventual overhead kick went high and wide. The half ended 0-0 with Blues struggling to establish themselves and take control of the game.

With a new 11 playing in the second half, Blues had early chances as striking duo Wes Thomas and Clayton Donaldson combined but couldn’t get the elusive goal. But Blues were eventually punished by the non league Harriers, a lazy kick out from goalkeeper Tom Kuszczak lead to harriers winger Dawson, who easily cut in from the left and slot home to put harriers in a shock lead.

With Blues then putting constant pressure on the Harriers defence, they eventually grabbed an equaliser. This from an unlikely source, a cross in from a set piece found the head of trialist and ex Villa defender Shane Lowery, he headed into the roof of the net for the Blues equaliser.

Rostyn Griffiths then helped set up a chance for Donaldson, last seasons top scorer couldn’t tap in at the far post and get Blues the winner. It ended all square at Aggborough as a resilient Harriers side deserved the share of the spoils.


Kidderminster XI:

Snedeker; Hodgkiss, Langmead, Rowe-Turner, Taylor, Verma, Clark, Reffell, Reid, Styche, Dawson

Birmingham (First Half)
Legzdins; Eardley, Spector, Robinson, Grounds; Davis, Brown; Cotterill, Gray, Shinnie; Novak.

Birmingham (Second Half)
Kuszczak; Caddis; Morrison; Lowry (trialist); Hancox; Gleeson; Griffiths (trialist); Arthur; Thomas; Maghoma; Donaldson.

Subs Unused: Trueman; Harding; Cooper; O’Neil.