DROITWICH Spa pushed National League Kidderminster Harriers all the way in their narrow 2-1 pre-season defeat in front of over 600 fans on Tuesday night at The Kingy's.Β
Harriers fielded a different team in each half of the contest, with a large portion of players that helped them to promotion from the National League North last season on show.Β
The team that are now one promotion away from the Football League took an early lead through new signing Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain but The Saltmen equalised in the ninth minute through Connor Collins.
The π off the mark π€#Harriers π¦ pic.twitter.com/P3IZtVh027
β Kidderminster Harriers π¦ (@khfcofficial) July 12, 2023
Ashley Hemmings restored Kiddy's leadΒ a couple of minutes before the lead with a brilliant curling effort from 20 yards out.
A beauty in πππ π π#Harriers π¦ | @AshHemmings10 pic.twitter.com/JrayCFMDSY
β Kidderminster Harriers π¦ (@khfcofficial) July 12, 2023
Droitwich held firm in the second-half and stayed in the game but were unable to threaten an equaliser.
Despite the defeat, there were plenty of plaudits for the Midland Football League Division One side, who were game opponents for Harriers.
FULL TIME π΄β«β½
β DROITWICH SPA FC (@DroitSpaFC) July 11, 2023
Saltmen 1-2 @khfcofficial
Att: 644
No more goals in the 2nd half, but the visitors had plenty of chances
Thank you to everyone who came down to Kingy's this evening, and to everyone associated with @khfcofficial
All the best for 2023-24 season!
"I just want to thank Droitwich first and foremost for being brilliant hosts," said Kidderminster boss Russ Penn at full-time.Β
"They looked after us really well and hopefully this is a relationship we can build on going forward.
"I thought we looked tired after 30 minutes or so but we worked them hard and it was a really competitive 90 minutes.
"In pre-season you don't want games that are thrashings or one-sided so we are happy with how much of a contest it was."
After the game, Droitwich released a statement in which they praised fans of both sides for turning out in big numbers for a local, pre-season clash.Β
"It was great to see so many Droitwich fans, Kidderminster fans and a good number who support both enjoying such a great occasion.
"We are very proud of our own players who performed so well throughout the match.
"All at Droitwich Spa FC would like to put on record our thanks to Kidderminster Harriers Football Club for their visit, but also the respect and class shown by everyone associated with them.
"We would like to wish Kidderminster Harriers well for their season ahead in the National League."
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