Hard-working Hatters are kings at Kiddy

Blue Square Bet Premier: Kidderminster Harriers 1 (0) Luton Town 2 (1)

HARD-WORKING Hatters clung on to claim all three points in an absorbing game at Aggborough this afternoon as they snared a 2-1 win over high-flying Kidderminster Harriers, writes Mark Wood.

Led by a powerful centre-forward’s display from the flourishing Amari Morgan-Smith and the tireless running of midfield dynamo Keith Keane, Town forced their way into a 2-0 lead thanks to a brace from Robbie Willmott and, although Kidderminster pulled a goal back late on to set up a grandstand finish, Town hung on to record an important victory.

There were some real surprises for Hatters fans this afternoon as manager Gary Brabin recalled long-term injured duo George Pilkington and Shane Blackett to his starting line-up.

Adam Watkins as a result dropped to the bench, while Jake Howells was unavailable as he was on duty with the Wales U21 side.

Morgan-Smith started where he left off last week, chasing a long ball down the middle, getting the better of centre-half Tom Sharpe and putting in a crunching challenge on keeper Dean Lyness, but unfortunately for Luton the ball rebounded the wrong side of the posts.

Luke Medley threatened down the right, but his cross was too close to Mark Tyler, while Callum Gittings dragged a long range effort well wide as both sides made a lively start.

An unfortunate break of the ball presented Gittings with a sight of goal on 17 minutes, but Pilkington produced a phenomenal block on the edge of the box.

A lovely passing move ended in Jamie Hand driving a long-range effort just over the bar, while Keane, restored to the centre of midfield, saw his bouncing bomb of an effort well fielded by Lyness.

James Dance was showing some real tenacity in the middle and it was his endeavour that created a shooting chance for Aaron O’Connor, but his low effort ran just wide.

Morgan-Smith looked powerful on his own up front and his weaving run ended in a shot that forced a fairly routine stop from Lyness after half an hour.

A swerving effort from James Vincent failed to trouble Tyler as the two sides looked well matched.

Dance’s pinpoint pass almost unlocked the Harriers defence on 34 minutes but Lee Vaughan recovered well in the nick of time to turn Willmott’s effort past the post.

Town were playing with real intent and deservedly took the lead six minutes before the break. Morgan-Smith robbed Mike Williams on the right, before outpacing the full-back as he burst into the box and showed great awareness to unselfishly square the ball for the onrushing Willmott to stroke home into the unguarded net.

But Kidderminster always looked dangerous going forward and should have equalised a minute before the break. Hand’s tackle broke kindly for Vincent and he expertly laid it into the path of Sharpe, but Curtis Osano got back to save the Hatters with a well-timed tackle.

Again the ball fell kindly for Harriers but Janos Kovacs threw himself in the way to superbly block Jamille Matt’s point-blank effort.

The half ended in breathless fashion, O’Connor breaking into the box in stoppage time and forcing a sprawling stop from Lyness, with Willmott’s follow-up somehow blocked on the line.

And just before the whistle the ball broke to Dance with Lyness out of his ground, but his lob, destined for the net, was headed away from harm by the well-placed Sharpe as Town had their noses in front at the break.

Keane saw yellow for an ugly lunge at the start of the second half, while Kidderminster made their third substitution of the day just before the hour with all still to play for.

A Pilkington slip almost let Kiddy in as the game became more fragmented, while Nick Wright saw a header slide just wide as Harriers threatened an equaliser.

A suicidal Gittings pass almost let Willmott in but Michael Briscoe put in a well-timed tackle to deny the winger.

Luton seemed to be inviting Harriers on to them far too much, but introduced the fit-again Stuart Fleetwood as they looked to hit their hosts on the break.

Substitute Marc Williams almost made the most of a Kovacs error when he stole in behind, but Town survived shouts of handball against Pilkington.

Willmott and Fleetwood combined brilliantly on 70 minutes, with Lyness saving from the former with an outstretched boot.

Kyle Storer sent an effort from distance harmlessly wide of Tyler’s right-hand upright while Wright wastefully spiralled wide as Kidderminster stepped up the pace against tiring Town.

Town went 4-4-2 with the introduction of Danny Crow for Dance and Kidderminster bossed possession as Town looked harried in possession.

However, the Hatters should have put the game to bed with 12 minutes to go when Hand won the ball in the middle and slipped Fleetwood through but he could only warm the gloves of Lyness from a narrow angle.

But Luton did finally seal victory with their second on 82 minutes. Morgan-Smith beat Wright all ends up with some brilliant skill before floating the ball to the far post where Willmott was on hand to glance home.

Storer saw an audacious long range effort fly wide before Luton missed out on the chance to make it three with four minutes to go.

Fleetwood raced through but was driven wide of goal and, although he dinked in a lovely cross, he found Crow on his heels and the chance went begging.

Kidderminster though made for a nervy ending when they pulled a goal back with three minutes to go. Williams made inroads on the right and, rather than shooting, unselfishly squared for Sharpe to fire home from a yard out.

Fleetwood almost settled Luton’s nerves but his rasping drive flew just wide of the post as three minutes of stoppage time were added.

Harriers pressed for a leveller and Vincent came closest when he sent a volley from the edge of the area flying over the bar, but Luton clung on for three more valuable points.

Harriers (4-3-3): Dean Lyness, Lee Vaughan, Mike Williams (C, Scott Phelan 45+1), Luke Jones (Michael Briscoe 37), Tom Sharpe, James Vincent, Kyle Storer, Luke Medley (Marc Williams 59), Callum Gittings, Jamille Matt, Nick Wright. Substitutes not used: Tommy Wright, Steve Guinan.

Hatters (4-3-3): Mark Tyler, Keith Keane, George Pilkington (C), Amari Morgan-Smith, Robbie Willmott, Shane Blackett, Aaron O’Connor (Stuart Fleetwood 64), Curtis Osano, James Dance (Danny Crow 75), Jamie Hand, Janos Kovacs. Substitutes not used: Will Antwi, Adam Watkins, Kevin Pilkington.

Bookings: Storer 12; Keane 48.

Referee: Darren Hendley (Lancashire).

Assistant Referees: Thomas Harty and Dragan Kuzmanovic.

Fourth Official: John Law.

Attendance: 3,332 (Luton 931).

Star Hatter: Amari Morgan-Smith. Bludgeoning no nonsense striker’s display mixed with not a little creativity.

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