Matt pounces late as Harriers show true grit (From Worcester News)

Matt pounces late as Harriers show true grit

11:41am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Reports

Forest Green Rovers 1
Harriers 1

THE only resolution Harriers need is to keep up the good work after a battling New Year’s Day display in Gloucestershire.

The wait for a first ever league win at Forest Green goes on but a last-minute leveller ensured Harriers returned home with the feel good factor still in full swing.

In-demand striker Jamille Matt only increased his value when he plundered a 90th-minute leveller to ensure Steve Burr’s side stretched their unbeaten run to 10 games.

It also meant Harriers began 2012 with a display which was all about their battling qualities and never-say-die attitude and keeps them hot on the heels of the Blue Square Bet Premier’s top-five.

If it had not been for an even later York leveller at home to Mansfield, the Aggborough outfit would have started the year in fifth place.

However, Harriers still remain in a very good position, well-poised in sixth to keep the pressure on the teams above them.

It also completed a satisfying festive four points against fellow play-off chasers Forest Green.

No longer are Dave Hockaday’s side perennial relegation battlers.

They are genuine contenders for the top-five and gave Harriers a run for their money on their home patch but were left ruing a host of missed chances.

By the time Yan Klukowski had volleyed home inside the box on 25 minutes to hand Rovers a deserved lead, James Norwood had already hit the bar with a header and Matt Taylor fizzed a 20-yard shot wide.

After a slow start to the game, Harriers improved as Kyle Storer’s long range effort was kept out by a fine finger tip save by home keeper James Bittner.

However, the Aggborough men were lucky to be only trailing by the one goal early in the second-half as Harriers keeper Tony Breeden produced some heroics to deny Chris Stokes, who moments later nodded a gilt-edged effort wide at the near post.

The ex-Leamington custodian was in even better form with a double save shortly after.

He was at full-stretch to his right to get a hand to Michael Uwezu’s stinging shot before blocking Keiron Forbes’ effort at his post moments later.

Harriers more than matched their hosts in an evenly-balanced and exciting second period and created chances of their own.

Lee Hendrie saw a 30-yard free-kick arc narrowly wide, while the red-hot Matt came very close to scoring when he pounced on Eddie Oshodi’s hesitance but his effort flew agonisingly inches wide.

However, the big striker was not to be denied and hit the target at the death.

Matt smartly leapt across Bittner to reach Mickey Demetriou’s delivery to head in the equaliser and send the 437 Harriers fans behind the goal into hysterics.

“It looked like we weren’t getting the goal our second half performance deserved,” said Harriers manager Steve Burr.

“Forest Green are a very good side and I thought in the first-half particularly they played very well.

“We made a few chances ourselves in the first-half but it’s always pleasing when you score so late on.”

The manager was also quick to praise the large travelling army, who vociferously supported Harriers.

“I must say the following we got from the fans was fantastic, we could do with that every week away from home,” Burr added.

“It helps and the fans got right behind the lads and they got their reward.”

Harriers: Breeden 8, Vaughan 7, Jones 8, Hankin 6 (Guinan 66), Vincent 6 (Wright 55), Sharpe 7, Gittings 6 (Marc Williams 86), Matt 6, Demetriou 7, Storer 6, Hendrie 7. Subs not used: Mike Williams; Lyness.

Forest Green: Bittner, Hodgkiss, Stokes, Turley, Norwood (Uwezu 70), Klukowski, Griffin, Forbes, Taylor, Thomson, Oshodi. Subs not used: Turk, Bulman, Graham, Allen.

Referee: Stephen Bratt (West Midlands).

Attendance: 1,542 (437).