10:04am Thursday 26th November 2009
Harriers 3
Oxford 1
HARRIERS’ new-look strike partnership pulled the welcome mat from underneath the Blue Square Premier leaders to prove that when it comes to the division’s big-boys they have the X-Factor.
Anyone who wondered if Matthew Barnes-Homer and Robbie Matthews could play together would have been given their answer in the most emphatic fashion.
To a man, Harriers were excellent all over the pitch but the ‘M&M’ partnership provided a cutting edge that produced the sweetest moment of the season so far.
Matthews’ brace was also a relief for the towering centre forward, who has taken time to settle into the side because of a mix of suspensions and injuries, which had also hampered his ability to forge a partnership with Barnes-Homer.
“It was a great start and I think that was what we needed because sometimes we go a goal down and our heads drop a bit," commented Matthews.
“I think the way we started we deserved to get a few goals.
“We’ve got pace and we play little triangular balls that make us hard to play against. When we’ve got a full team out we’re a match for anyone.
“It’s been very frustrating because it’s been so stop-start and sometimes as a striker you need a run of games to get going.
“I thank god for scoring three goals so far without playing that well and hopefully Barnesy and I can get a partnership going and bang in a few goals.”
Harriers had proved that against the division’s side they are a match for anyone after wins against Mansfield and AFC Wimbledon, but a very strong Oxford squad, containing a quartet of former players, provided the stiffest challenge yet.
Amongst the foursome was former skipper Mark Creighton, making his return to Aggborough since his move to the U’s for an undisclosed fee in the summer, but he and his team-mates were left stunned by Harriers’ rip-roaring start.
Matthews silenced the 2,000 strong away army which outnumbered the home fans, when he swept a second minute opener into the back of the net, after Luke Foster’s challenge on Darryl Knights had seen the ball break free in the box.
Barnes-Homer doubled Harriers’ advantage in the 16th minute after a silly foul by ex-Harriers James Constable.
The striker had barged into Martin Riley 30-yards out from Oxford’s goal and Barnes-Homer punished the error with a stunning free-kick that flew into the back of the net and shocked shot-stopper Ryan Clarke, who was rooted to the spot.
Oxford rallied and were handed a way back into the match when keeper Dean Coleman was adjudged to have brought down Sam Deering as he rushed out to collect Riley’s ponderous back-pass.
The decision to give a penalty was harsh as Deering seemed to look for the spot-kick and was running away from goal.
Despite that, Constable reduced the arrears when he sent the keeper the wrong way and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Both sides had chances to score late in the half with on-loan Peterborough left-back Daniel Andrew clearing Foster’s header off the line, while Brian Smikle was denied by Clarke as Harriers launched a quicksilver counter-attack.
But Matthews pounced in the 52nd minute when Barnes-Homer delivered a low cross from the left which the hitman slotted below Clarke.
He had a chance to complete a hat-trick when Barnes-Homer was brought down by Steven Kinniburgh, who was shown a straight red card, but Matthews’ spot-kick was saved by the out-stretched hand of Clarke, another old Harrier.
A full-blooded encounter had seen seven players booked and at times it looked as though the game might spiral out of control but the referee kept a firm grip on the reins until the final few minutes.
Earlier in the match, Creighton had been booked for a high challenge on Matthews, while Adam Murray was shown a yellow for a late challenge on Duane Courtney.
Matthews had also joined Courtney and Riley in the book but that couldn’t take the sheen off an inspirational display.
When the final whistle blew, Harriers fans floated out of the ground having watched their side get back on track after three games without a win in the most impressive manner possible.
Harriers: Coleman 6; Courtney 7; Caines 7; Riley 7; Bennett 6; Barnes-Homer 7 (Farrell, 93); Knights 7 (Hayward, 93); McDermott 7; (Dolman, 90) Smikle 7; Matthews 8; Andrew 7. Unused substitutes: Singh; Sharpe.
Oxford: Clarke; Batt; Bulman; Foster; Creighton; Murray (Kelly, 67); Constable; Clist; Deering (Midson, 60); Kinniburgh; Green (Chapman, 82). Unused: Turley; Day.
Referee: Michael Naylor (Sheffield). Attendance: 3,569 (2,009)
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