Hyde 0, Harriers 4

WINGER Marvin Johnson inspired Harriers to end their North West hoodoo on Saturday with his third goal in as many games.

The 22-year-old produced his finest performance for the Aggborough outfit with a devastating display of his pace and power.

Anthony Malbon demonstrated his new found confidence as he capped a superb display with two goals, while new addition Greg Pearson marked his debut with a fourth as Steve Burr’s side made a mockery of the Tigers’ solid home form.

But it was Johnson who caught the eye as he terrorised Hyde’s defence.

The hosts gave the former Romulus man too much space and to his credit, Johnson made them pay.

“I am not trying to score a goal a game, it’s more important to win,” commented the wideman.

“If I and the other lads are getting goals then it’s good and I am happy with that.”

Harriers have suffered narrow defeats in Stockport and Macclesfield this season but another fine performance ensured that disappointing run in in the North West came to a shuddering end.

Johnson came close to opening the scoring twice in a scrappy opening 20 minutes when he was picked out by Josh Gowling’s accurate long passes.

He fired into the side netting and saw an effort save by over-worked keeper Chris Dilo, who was the hero for embattled hosts.

In fact, Malbon opened the scoring when he headed home a fine cross from Amari Morgan-Smith.

If it had not been for Dilo, Hyde would have suffered an even heavier defeat.

But Harriers shot-stopper Danny Lewis produced the save of the game in the 40th minute after Phil Jevons’ shot had struck Lee Vaughan on the arm from close range to concede a questionable penalty.

Although Lewis dived to his left to block Jevons’ spot-kick, he then smothered the loose ball as the Tigers’ top-scoring lunged for it.

Harriers survived another scare early in the second-half when it appeared Gowling had hauled down Shay McCartan as he drove into the box but the referee waved play on.

Johnson, who had clipped the bar on the stroke of half-time, made sure of the win in the 56th minute when he demonstrated his control and fearsome speed to race past two defenders and slam a left-footed 20-yard shot past Dilo.

Three minutes later, Malbon stroked home a third after a weak back pass by Kelvin Lomax wasn’t cleared.

Substitute Pearson then made sure Malbon’s shot crossed the line when he finished from close range, as Harriers romped to three successive win.

Harriers: Lewis 8, Vaughan 7, Demetriou 7, Storer 8 (Pilkington 77), Vincent 7, Malbon 8 (Rowe 70), JOHNSON 9, Gittings 7, Morgan-Smith 7 (Pearson, 67), Dunkley 7, Gowling 7. Subs not used: Williams, N Vaughan.

Hyde: Dilo, Brizell (Anderson 68), Griffin, Lomax, Ashworth, Allott (Brown 62), Moses (Spencer 62)Tomsett, Sedgwick, Jevons, McCartan. Subs not used: Cassidy, Carnell. Referee: Richard Martin.

Attendance: 717