Harriers 2, Gateshead 1

HARRIERS waited six games for a striker’s goal and then two come along at once.

Hitmen Craig Reid and Nathan Blisset demonstrated impeccable timing to fire Gary Whild’s side to a well-deserved win over one of their rivals for promotion in the Vanarama Conference.

Reid broke the deadlock and ended his 585 minute wait for his first Kidderminster effort in the league with a timely effort.

The hosts had survived a dominant 45 minutes from slick Heed when the hitman stunned them seven seconds after the re-start, latching onto Blissett’s deft header to slot home.

Blissett then became only the second Kidderminster centre forward to score this season in the 49th minute, when he stooped to head home an excellent cross from Marvin Johnson.

“Bliss was able to win his header, which is something we practice week in week out, and I was lucky enough to get on the end of it and finish,” said Reid.

“We’ve created lot of chances so we’re doing something right and we’re getting lots of shots on target, sometimes you’ve got to put your hands up and say it’s good goalkeeping.

“I knew it was going to come, you’ve just got to be confident in your ability.”

While Jon Shaw pulled one back for the Heed in the 64th minute, Gateshead never looked like opening up Kidderminster’s well-marshalled defensive line.

Victory extended Harriers unbeaten start to the new season to seven games and was also a perfect advert for a bumper 2607 crowd which had descended on Aggborough as part of Non-League Day.

The club’s decision to reduce ticket prices and the efforts of KHIST to raise aware and attract fans from the region’s top flight fans was the icing on the cake.

HARRIERS: Lewis 7, Hodgkiss 7, Dunkley 7, Gowling 7, Nicholson 7, Storer 7, Byrne 7, Grimes 7, JOHNSON 8, Blissett 7 (Gash, 73), Reid 7 (Styche, 67). Unused subs: Verma, Gittings, Singh.

GATESHEAD: Bartlett, Jones, Chandler, Curtis, Clark, Oster (Ramshaw, 61), Turnbull (Giy, 81), Shaw, O’Donnell, Rodman (Allan, 81), Wright. Unused subs: Baxter, McDermott.

Ref: Darren England Attendance: 2607 (83)