Byrne makes sure Harriers' extra class tells with Boxing Day win (From Worcester News)

Byrne makes sure Harriers' extra class tells with Boxing Day win

9:38pm Wednesday 28th December 2011 in Reports

Harriers 1
Forest Green Rovers 0

THE margin of victory was slight but the gap in quality and intent couldn't have been greater, as Harriers continued their excellent form with a win at the expense of fellow play-off chasers Forest Green Rovers on Boxing Day.

Jack Byrne's fourth goal in five games ensured Steve Burr's side made it nine unbeaten in all competitions and also drew them level with Luton and York in the play-off spots, although they remain outside of the top five because of inferior goal-difference.

If they continue their excellent vein of form they could soon find themselves in the promised land.

Forest Green harbour the same hopes after an excellent first half of the season but they paid the price for their timidness at Aggborough.

Dave Hockaday's side were happy to sit back and with two well-drilled banks of five, Harriers struggled to find away through in a dis-jointed opening half an hour.

However, once they got into their groove, the hosts looked like the only side capable of scoring.

Byrne struck in the 67th minute after some accurate head tennis. Former Forest Green man Luke Jones got a head to Mickey Demetriou's free-kick, and with Byrne calling for the ball, striker Jamille Matt unselfishly nodded it across the goal and allowed the midfielder to used his head with a close range finish.

That goal had been coming, especially with the much sought after Matt looking very dangerous.

Subject to three bids from League Two side Northampton and with Bradford and Cheltenham also interested, Harriers' top scorer looked unfazed by all the speculation surrounding him and came agonisingly close to opening the scoring. He attacked a cross from Callum Gittings at the far post but his header spun fractionally wide.

He came even closer after the break, swivelling on the edge of the box and unleashing a right-footed effort, which keeper James Bittner did well to save with an athletic dive.

Once the breakthrough came, Harriers would have won more comfortably if Kyle Storer hadn't thrashed an effort well wide after good work by substitute James Vincent and Matt.

Late on, substitute Steve Guinan thumped a header off target but one goal was enough as shot-shy Forest floundered in front of goal. The visitors were restricted to a handful of efforts, with Jan Klukowski shooting wide and Harriers shot-stopper Tony Breeden equal to Matt Taylor's deflected shot.

"I thought it was an excellent performance, probably efforts on goal didn't equal our possession but I was really pleased with the football we played," commented Harriers boss Burr.

"You can only do so much going forward and I thought we had the majority of the play.

"Forest Green had to do quite a bit of defending, we know they're a good side but we got in amongst them and I thought some of our play was excellent.

"The message at half-time was be patient and we'd get our rewards and I was pleased we got the goal which won the game."

Harriers: Breeden 7; Vaughan 7; Jones 7; Hankin 6; Byrne 7; Sharpe 7; Gittings 6; Matt 8 (Guinan, 89); Demetriou 9; Storer 6; Hendrie 6 (Vincent, 76).

Unused substitutes: Mike Williams; Wright; Lyness.

Forest Green: Bittner; Hodgkiss; Stokes; Norwood; Klukowski; Forbes; Taylor; Graham; Rowe (Turk, 9); Thomson; Uwezu (Griffin, 46).

Unused substitutes: Imudia; Bulman; Henry.

Referee: Darren Bond (Lanchashire). Attendance: 2,491 (224)