For the fifth time in the last six games Harriers found themselves two
goals behind before they started playing and a spirited second half performance
almost paid dividends.
Despite being from a higher division Brentford did not seem so good that
they needed to be held in awe but Harriers were slow out of the
starting blocks and allowed them to take an early grip on the game. Just
four minutes had been played when Jamie Fullarton floated a harmless looking
cross over from the right and Scott Marshall was allowed to head over Stuart
Brock unchallenged to open the scoring.
Regardless of this early setback Harriers could have got themselves back
into the game had they wanted to, the home team allowing them plenty
of possession. It was quite clear in these opening exchanges that
Harriers had been without a game for ten days and they didn't impose
themselves.
After 24 minutes The Bees went further ahead, a ball was played through the
centre of the Harriers defence and Kevin O'Connor did well to hold off
Lee Ayres taking advantage of a lucky bounce as the defender challenged
to take the ball wide of Brock and stroke it into the net. At the
other end Harriers' best chance of the half fell to Danny Williams whose
30 yard effort from a well-worked free kick routine was tipped over the
bar by Paul Smith in the home goal after 34 minutes. Two minutes
later Brock saved well at his near post to deny Stephen Evans a third
goal.
After the break Harriers came out in a more attacking frame of mind and
pulled a goal back five minutes into the second period. A quickly
taken free kick on the right allowed Sam Shilton to get to the byline and
his cross to the far post was headed in by Drewe Broughton for his fifth
goal of the season. Five minutes later Harriers missed a golden
opportunity to draw level, Shilton's corner was headed back by Broughton
and with the keeper stranded Sean Parrish headed over when it seemed easier
for him to score.
Harriers had bar far the greater proportion of play in the second half
but were unable to force an equaliser, even when they changed formation to
three up front, the closest they came was a Broughton header that went
just over the bar five minutes from time. In the dying minutes Brentford
were able to keep hold of the ball and play out time for a narrow
victory.
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