Tuesday, December 20, 2005

LDV Vans Trophy giant-killers Kidderminster Harriers claimed their biggest scalp in the competition so far at Aggborough last night.

Harriers beat League One mid-table outfit Bradford City, who were reduced to 10 men in the early stages, to reach the northern semi-finals.

Iyseden Christie's 12th goal of the season and Russ Penn's first for the club sealed a good battling victory which added to Trophy wins over Darlington and Boston.

Martin O'Connor was delighted with the second win of his caretaker charge and Harriers could now potentially be paired with league rivals Hereford in the northern last four.

A sedate opening was livened up considerably when former Man City player Lee Crooks was sent off after just six minutes for a reckless, late challenge on Harriers striker Lee Thompson.

The hosts took the lead 10 minutes later when Christie beat the offside trap and hammered Terry Fleming's through-ball past 'keeper Donovan Ricketts with his left foot.

Harriers goalkeeper Daniel Lewis had to be aware soon after when he pushed over an 18-yard Andy Cooke snap-shot.

Lewis also comfortably gathered a header from defender Mark Bower on 31 minutes as chances were at a premium in the first-half.

But Harriers inflicted more damage on 10-man Bradford on the hour mark through up-and-coming central midfielder Penn.

He swapped a quick one-two with Thompson in a move sparked by Fleming and buried a fine 20-yard drive into the bottom corner.

But Bradford pulled a goal back on 70 minutes when Ben Muirhead's corner was headed home by fellow sub Joe Brown after being nodded back by David Wetherall.

Wetherall hit the post in the dying seconds and had claims for a penalty turned down as the visitors were held off by the Conference hosts.

HARRIERS: Lewis; Flynn, Jackson, Mullins, Hatswell; Heslop, Fleming, Penn, Blackwood (Sheldon 82); Thompson, Christie. Subs not used: Danby, Burgess, Atieno, Hurren.

ATTENDANCE: 1,276.