Kingstonian 1-0 Kidderminster Harriers
BAGGIE BOY SENDS KIDDIE PACKING

Another minimal crowd at Kingsmeadow saw the K's record their second double of the season after a David Leworthy goal had won the 3 points at Aggborough back in October. The first 8 K's players announced were as expected, followed by Scott Corbett (with Kevin Rattray still injured), Carl Tranter making his debut in place of Leworthy and Delton Francis, starting for the first time, replacing Eddie who was on the bench.

If the front two were rested, as might be presumed, it shows clearly that, whatever noises Chapple makes about still concentrating on the league, his mind is very definitely on Northwich and March 27th. Having said that, a shake-up may well be what K's need. Tranter looked very promising, and it was his goal which was the difference. Delton Francis also did nothing wrong and could well have an interesting future. He went close early on with an effort from distance which fell to Tranter whose shot was deflected wide. K's had started well, and it's been a while since that was the case.

Kidderminster, who must be disappointed with their showing so far this season, were being made to defend a great deal more than they would have wished, with the K's midfield snuffing out any possible threats. In fact it says something about how well K's played when Kiddie's best player by a country-mile was their central defender Adie Smith. His first moment of class was when he cut out a Tarkan Mustafa pass which was about to set Tranter free to run on goal. K's must have realised that they would have to work hard to get any rewards against the big man. But he was powerless to prevent the K's front pair from giving the home side the lead on 25 minutes.

Just after Francis had had his shot saved for a corner, a superb passing move ended with the ball at the feet of skipper Matt Crossley. Carl Tranter made a run behind his marker and was picked out perfectly on the right. The angle was tight and Stuart Brock in goal did well to get his right hand to the ball. But the shot was powerful enough to carry on its journey and nestle in the corner of the net. The players did their best to congratulate the new boy and make him feel at home - there's always a chance he might decide he likes if here.....

Kidderminster did have one shot, well they probably had more than one but they don't merit a mention here, which caused Farrelly problems but he managed to turn Leroy May's shot aside for a corner kick. And so the half ended with Chapple looking pretty pleased, although a couple more goals would probably have shown K's superiority more clearly. May was first to go close in the second period, but he was once more denied by a Farrelly save. This time he needed to fling himself all the way into the top right hand corner to turn away the header after May, standing all alone 12 yards out, had connected with a left-wing Ford cross.

Matt Crossley thought he had extended K's lead when he touched in a Mark Harris knock-down from a Geoff Pitcher corner, but the 'Chopper' had clearly been trying to climb to the top of the (B)rock and the free-kick was awarded. Pitcher was later played through for a run on goal but was pulled back for offside - Chapple made his disgust at the decision pretty obvious. Eddie came on for Delton Francis, and he just had time to pick up the ball on the left, after defender Weil had provided a comic moment by stepping on the ball, and to race goalwards. But Adie Smith was there once more and prevented a shot from being taken. He had had a superb game, and if there is any truth to the rumour that Mark Harris is leaving Kingsmeadow in the Summer, Chapple could do no worse than look northwards to this man.

But however well he played he ended up on the losing side. K's occasionally still didn't look as interested as they might have done, but the performance was certainly better than the dire Morecambe display. Delton Francis looked like a good player to have on the bench if he doesn't start the next few games, and Carl Tranter looked like a decent acquisition. Chapple would be well advised to try and convince the ex-West Brom and Bridge North player to sign for a bit longer than a week. But possibly more important was the fact that K's had got back to winning ways on corner kicks (7-5) after a few disappointing weeks.