The Silkmen were made to fight until the very last second yesterday, as Danny Elliott’s last-gasp strike ensured that the points were shared at Aggborough.
The opening exchanges were characterised by a fervent tempo from both sides as they looked to stamp their authority on the game, and they were enthused by an electric atmosphere which exemplified the great respect that the two Clubs have for each other.
The first chance of the game came in the 3rd minute, when Danny Elliott dispossessed Alex Penny, and after bearing down on goal, he was unlucky to see his low drive fizz marginally wide of Christian Dibble’s far post.
Five minutes later, Sean Etaluku got in on the act as his magical run down the right flank was ended by Penny in fairly cynical fashion.
Despite protestations that the infringement occurred inside the area, Referee Jonathan Chadwick repelled them and, with a cheery smile, indicated for a free-kick to be taken less than half a yard away from the penalty area.
Up stepped the returning James Edmondson, who drilled the ball towards the near post and forced Dibble into a rather fumbled save that ignited the travelling contingent once again.
James Edmondson produced a tenacious performance to mark his Silkmen return at Aggborough yesterday. (Credit: Chelsie Wilson)
Harriers continued to look lively and created their first opening in the 11th minute when Pierce Bird’s trademark long throw was headed towards goal by Amari Morgan-Smith, yet the former Silkman could only direct his effort straight into the grateful arms of Max Dearnley.
The game evolved at pace, with both sides producing some innovative build-up play, only to be let down by the final ball.
Skipper Paul Dawson’s visionary long ball towards debutant Josh Kay then unlocked the Kidderminster defence in the 21st minute, with the Oldham Athletic loanee showing some nimble footwork to control the ball before blasting it straight at Dibble.
Two minutes later, and it was the hosts who looked the most threatening as Joe Foulkes seized on a loose ball in the middle of the park, before surging towards goal and hitting a venomous drive that spun marginally wide of Dearnley’s far post.
For a spell, Kidderminster then began to dominate possession, with their main offensive threat coming in the form of Morgan-Smith.
That said, Dawson and fellow central defender Sam Heathcote gallantly kept one of the league’s most potent forwards at bay with seemingly consummate ease.
In the 33rd minute, the travelling contingent had their hearts in their mouths when Foulkes went down under a Luke Duffy challenge, which the home side vehemently protested warranted a penalty kick.
Unperturbed, Referee Chadwick defiantly allowed the game to progress in spite of the tirade of complaints that were aimed his way.
Four minutes later, Harriers were threatening once again when George Walker confidently advanced down the right before cutting inside and forcing Dearnley into a fine save at his far post.
Shortly after, a loose ball 30 yards from goal was seized by Emeki Obi, who was unlucky to see his curling effort fly inches over Dearnley’s far upright.
Foulkes proved to be the danger man once again in the 44th minute, when he delivered a tantalising cross from the right which Lewis Fensome did magnificently well to turn around the far post with both Morgan-Smith and Walker on hand to complete the simplest of tap-ins.
The final opportunity of the first half fell to the visitors in added time, as Duffy unleashed Etaluku down the right, and it was from his driven cross that D’Mani Mellor fired agonisingly wide of the near post.
Sean Etaluku posed a constant threat to the Kidderminster ranks yesterday. (Credit: Chelsie Wilson)
The second period started in much the same vein as the first had ended, with the pendulum of opportunity swinging back and forth without unduly troubling either ‘keeper.
Within three minutes of the restart, Ryley Reynolds broke free down the right, and his pinpoint cross was hammered into the side netting on the half-volley by Foulkes.
The deadlock was broken in the 55th minute when Walker created space down the left, before his cross into the area was met by substitute Reece Devine. His teasing setup was hammered into the ground by Luke Spokes – bouncing over Dearnley and into the top corner of the net.
Undoubtedly, the goal catalysed the visitors into a more concerted offensive mindset, and just three minutes later, Etaluku cut inside from the right before executing a ferocious low drive which flew just wide of the near post.
The litmus paper had been ignited once again, with both sets of fans helping to create a cauldron of noise that befitted the occasion.
Kidderminster could not afford to sit back and protect their slender lead, and in the 72nd minute, Reynolds breached the Silkmen rearguard before seeing his nonchalant lob ultimately reside on the roof of the advancing Dearnley’s net.
Macc continued to enjoy much joy in the wide areas, with Duffy and Etaluku particularly menacing, yet they were desperately trying to find the final ball which would unlock the resilient Harriers defence.
With a minimum of eight minutes additional time signalled by the Fourth Official Andrew Bower, Kidderminster unquestionably started to protect their lead at all costs.
The skipper was then withdrawn as a precaution after injuring his wrist, as Macc continued to battle against all the odds in order to salvage at least a point.
With the home contingent in no doubt that the game had reached its conclusion, John Rooney’s warriors kept fighting in a manner which is testament to the character and defiance within the group.
In the dying seconds, Sam Heathcote’s innovative through ball set Danny Elliott free, and he clinically slotted the ball past Dibble.
But did it have the legs to cross the line?
For a split second, time stood still as the ball trickled firstly towards the goal line and then, thankfully, dramatically and emotionally, over it.
Rooney: “It was the best performance of the season.” (Credit: Chelsie Wilson)
The scenes that followed exemplified who we are yet again, with the 317 Silkmen fans jubilantly celebrating with their heroes.
After the game, John Rooney suggested that the performance at Aggborough may well be the best of the season so far. That is a matter of opinion of course, but what can’t be questioned is the fact that all those who travelled back to Cheshire last night did so with beaming smiles on their faces and an intense amount of pride in their hearts.
