Match Report: Kidderminster Harriers 1-2 Chester

Calum McIntyre’s men earned a memorable victory on the road at Kidderminster Harriers to secure a place in the play-off final.

Kyle Morrison scored the opening goal for the hosts as he bundled home from a well-delivered corner.

The Blues grabbed a deserved equaliser through Dylan Mottley-Henry before Declan Weeks secured the win with a crisp half-volley that defied Christian Dibble in the home goal.

It was a cagey start at Aggborough, as both sides struggled to flow in the windy conditions, but Nathan Woodthorpe almost forced a chance when he combined with Declan Weeks from a free-kick but Kurt Willoughby couldn’t connect with the cross.

The hosts took the lead in the 18th minute through central defender Kyle Morrison, who bundled past Jimmy Storer at the back post after a well-delivered corner from David Worrall.

Chester settled after the opener though and started to wrestle back control of the contest.

Successive corners spelt danger on Dibble’s goal but the home defence dealt with the aerial threat well in the first-half.

The pressure paid off for the Seals though as Dylan Mottley-Henry equalised from close-range.

Connor Woods curled a dangerous effort towards goal that Dibble could only palm into the path of Mottley-Henry who was left with a simple finish.

Kidderminster almost regained the lead in the dying embers of the half after a fantastic move but Max Kouyhar drilled his low effort wide from around 12 yards.

Kurt Willoughby also has his first opportunity of the clash in additional time but his powerful strike flew just wide of the post.

The Seals flew out of the blocks in the second period and almost took the lead in sensational fashion as Iwan Murray smashed an effort towards goal from 25 yards out that dipped and forced Dibble into an acrobatic save.

Murray was involved once again just a few minutes later as he earned a golden opportunity.

The 24-year-old was tripped inside the box by Morrison and Jonathan Maskrey pointed to the spot.

Willoughby stepped up from 12 yards and struck with power but Dibble got down well and pushed to safety to preserve Kidderminster’s parity.

The Harriers’ top scorer Ashley Hemmings came close with the hosts’ first chance of the second period, but his shot flew wide in comfortable fashion.

Dan Mooney created a positive impact after he was introduced in the 70th minute, as the number 29 stretched the home defence and threatened Dibble on a number of occasions with his pace in behind the back line.

Then came the moment of magic, a moment that sent 1,300 travelling Seals into absolute bedlam behind the goal.

The ball dropped to the feet of Weeks, who arrowed a well-struck half-volley into the bottom corner.

A brilliant strike that gave Dibble no chance and put the Blues within touching distance of the play-off final.

CHESTER FC: Storer, Roberts, Burke, Leak, Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Murray, Weeks, Woods, Willoughby (Mooney 70′), Mottley-Henry (O’Kane 86′).

SUBS NOT USED: Brown, Hunter, Rawlinson, Lambert, Burgess.

SCORERS: Mottley-Henry 35′, Weeks 82′

ATTENDANCE: 4,647