REPORT: Kidderminster Harriers 1-1 Wealdstone (5-6 on penalties)

Wealdstone booked their place in the Isuzu FA Trophy semi-final in dramatic fashion by defeating Kidderminster Harriers in a penalty shootout at the Aggborough Stadium.

Danny Payne’s Stones started strongly by opening the scoring through Sean Adarkwa before the hosts equalised shortly after. The remainer of the 90 minutes saw very few openings for either side before the tie was eventually decided by penalties.

Kidderminster created the first chance of the match as the ball came to Ryley Renolds in space who elected to shoot, but he was unable to keep the shot down leaving Baptiste untroubled.

The Stones opened the scoring in the 13^th minute after a cross from a free kick caused chaos in the Harriers’ penalty area and Sean Adarkwa was on hand to convert from close range, his second goal in as many games.

Wealdstone then created a half chance to extend their lead after good work from Hutchinson led to him picking out Micah Obiero, but his effort was well closed down by the hosts.

Kidderminster Harriers began to react, spurred on by the home support, resulting in a good chance to equalise when Paul Kalambayi was picked out after a corner routine. His effort hit the post before Baptiste was able to gather.

The equaliser came not long after though on the 25^th minute. This time it was The Stones’ turn to struggle to clear a free kick before the ball fell to Reynolds on the edge of the area.  He took a touch before firing the ball into the bottom corner to level the scoreline.

In a game of few chances from this point the Harriers perhaps had the better of them, the first of which came again to Kalambayi in the 32^nd minute when he was picked out at the back post again. His effort from a difficult angle was well held by Baptise.

After the break the game became more of a battle in midfield, but the hosts continued to pose a threat. Baptise produced an outstanding save to deny Amari Morgan-Smith’s headed effort from a corner in the 55^th minute.

The latter stages saw both sides cancel each other out with strong defending, with penalties feeling like an inevitability long before full time.

During the shootout, both sides displayed impressive composure, Olomola, Boldewijn, McAvoy, Obiero, Tshikuna and all finished well for The Stones while Morgan-Smith, Kandola, Devine, Reynolds and Foulkes all converted their penalties for the hosts leaving the scores level at 5-5.

Shay Spencer then finished calmly to make it 6-5, before Dante Baptiste saved Owen Evan’s penalty to send The Stones through and spark jubilant scenes in the away end.

The result sees The Stones book their place in the Isuzu FA Trophy semi-final, the draw for which will be made at 3:15pm live on TalkSport.

Wealdstone are next in action on Tuesday night in a 7:45pm kick off at The Vale when we host Morcambe in the Enterprise National League. Buy tickets HERE!