Kidderminster Harriers v Oxford United - Blue Square Premier

Kidderminster Harriers Starting Eleven

Bartlett
Lowe, Creighton, Jones, Baker
Brittain, Penn, Ferrell, Smikle
Richards, Barnes-Homer

Substitutes: Knights, Coleman, Foley, McDermott, Bennett.

Substitutes Used: Only two substitutions were made by Kidderminster in this one; Bennett came on to replace Brittain in the 61st minute, and then Knight made an appearance in the 83rd as a replacement for Barnes-Homer.

Oxford United Starting Eleven

Hinchliffe
Willmott, Quinn, Osborne, Reid
Murray, Burnell, Evans, Haldane
Constable, Guy

Substitutes: Turley, Carruthers, Deering, Odubade, Clarke.

Substitutes Used: The first Oxford change came at half-time as Carruthers took to the field in place of James Constable. In the 56th minute Deering was brought on for Evans, and then in the 65th minute of the match Odubade replaced Guy as Oxford's third and final substitution took place.

Oxford desperately needed a result here, not just for their well-being in the Blue Square Premier but also for their confidence. Oxford went into this match unbeaten in four, of those four games three were draws however and a defeat here would most definitely set the Oxford morale back even further. Having suffered a 1-0 defeat here in Kidderminster confidence will definitely be knocked, the main positive to be drawn from the game is that the team played well however and there's therefore much hope for the next few games. It's swings and roundabouts really though; the team did play well, for some this will be an even bigger blow however as even when the side is playing well; Oxford United is still losing. It's best to take the powerful performance as a positive, not to dwell too much on having lost but to draw strength from the fact that the performance was there and if the side plays like that each and every game then Oxford United will gain points, will win games, and will start to move on up the table.

Kidderminster's goal came as early on as the 22nd minute of the match; Barnes-Homer scored a very well worked goal and Justin Richards gained an assist in the process. Having spent some of last season on loan at Oxford, Richards knows how Oxford United plays and knows the Oxford United mentality. He had a good game and linked up well with Barnes-Homer throughout the match. There was a great bit of link up play to provide this goal, it was well deserved and full credit must definitely go out to Justin Richards and Matthew Barnes-Homer for having created this goal. Justin Richards had already had half a chance before the goal came about, he dragged his shot wide however and made up for doing so here by providing such a wonderful assist. Kidderminster now led Oxford by a goal to nil and that's the way the score would remain right up until the final whistle.

James Constable had a couple of chances to score for Oxford in the first half; having speedily returned to the first team after a groin strain injury however; he wasn't truly fit enough to have been played in the team and it should therefore come as no surprise whatsoever that the man didn't take the chances he was provided. Darren Patterson was completely at fault for having played him and he admitted as much after the game had finished; it was a mistake on Patterson's behalf and one that has potentially cost the side dearly as Oxford United have now lost yet another match and dropped three further potential points. Constable only lasted until half time before being replaced by Carruthers, he shouldn't have been played at all however and starting Constable in the match is quite possibly the most ridiculous move Darren Patterson has made all season; Constable has been Oxford's main goal scoring man in the Blue Square Premier league this season, playing him so soon after his injury left him completely open to further injury however and was a very silly move to have been made indeed. I do generally rate Darren Patterson quite highly as a manager and most definitely feel that he has done Oxford United proud in his time at the club, he made a bad move here however and I fully applaud his honesty for admitting it.

The best chance of an Oxford equaliser fell to Chris Willmott as the ball almost found its way over the line, it didn't quite happen for Oxford however and despite a number of chances for both teams; the game remained at 1-0 and Oxford were still left looking for an equaliser. Oxford dominated for periods of the second-half, played incredibly well and almost got a goal; almost doesn't cut it in football however, almost scoring and *almost* drawing points won't win you anything come the end of the season when all that matters is points and positions. Oxford need to start moving up the table and to do that they need to start scoring more goals and winning more games; there's just no question about it. Oxford manager Darren Patterson has admitted that he's after another striker, as yet no one has been brought into the club however and as such Oxford remain quite atrocious in the art of scoring goals and gaining points. 9 points in 9 games just isn't good enough; Oxford United need to do a lot better than they are at current and need to find their form fast.

Official sources state that 635 Oxford fans attended made the trip away for this one; Oxford always have a great following and I feel that the crowd often serves as a twelfth man when playing other clubs. Oxford's twelfth man was very vocal throughout this game; Oxford ultimately lost but there was just no silencing the away supporters, they continued to support their side right to the end and that's exactly what I like to hear. Osborne had chances for Oxford as too did Murray and Odubade; none of these chances were converted however and as the final whistle was blown; Kidderminster had kept their unbeaten home record, and Oxford had suffered their third away defeat of the season.

It's sad to see Oxford drop further still down the table, heartening to know that the side performed well however and hopefully the side can now start winning games and move a little further up the table. At present Oxford United is just two places outside the drop-zone; a precarious position to find themselves in and a definite indication that changes need to be made at the Kassam. A further striker needs to be brought in, Oxford require further firepower, and until such time as a new forward player is brought into the club; I just don't feel that anything is going to change for Oxford. That said; Lewes away is coming up soon and that one could be the game to change Oxford's fortune. Lewes are having an even tougher time of it than Oxford at current, they sit absolute bottom of the table and are yet to win a single game. A goal difference of -18 after 9 matches just about says it all; Lewes are the Blue Square Premier whipping boys, and that game against Lewes could be just what the team requires in order to get things back on track and get winnings games again. Oxford United are currently sinking, before long however the side will surely be rising. It's not been a good season so far for Oxford, I see good times ahead for the club however and see Kidderminster going far also. Kidderminster Harriers versus Oxford United was a very good game of football; well done to Kidderminster for gaining all three points and all the best of luck in securing a play-off place come the end of the season.

Final Score: Kidderminster Harriers 1 - 0 Oxford United

Date: 13/09/08
Home Team: Kidderminster Harriers
Venue: Aggborough Stadium
Referee: D Bond
Booked: Osborne, Evans.
Goals: Barnes-Homer 22'.
Attendance: 2065
Winning Team: Kidderminster Harriers (1-0)