Contributions by Sol Finnon & Leon Higgins

Curzon started poorly when Harriers forward, when Ashley Hemmings created a chance and fired wide in the first minute. However, in the 6th minute it was 1-0.

A Reece Devine cross met the head of Hemmings as he scored his 6th goal in 14 games causing The Nash to go behind.

There were several chances for both teams, but nothing clear cut and with tensions also rising with several strong challenges going in. Isaac Sinclair on his 100th appearance for the Nash getting booked for a late challenge and Reece Devine getting booked for simulation.

Half time 0-1

With no changes at the break The Nash started the brighter side with Stefan Mols being found in the area but was unable to direct his effort goal wards.

Harriers suffered two yellow cards at the start of the half related to time wasting. One for kicking the ball away for David Davis and also a bizarre incident where manager Phil Brown was spotted kicking a spare ball on to the pitch to stop the Curzon momentum at the start of the second half, he was angered after a Curzon throw in was taken with not the “match ball”.

Kidderminster grew into the second half and pushed for a second goal with once again the dangerous Hemmings and Joe Foulkes both firing over the bar.

Stefan Mols was replaced by David Worrall in the 64th minute in an attempt to alter the game. Mike Afuye and Isacc Sinclair came off for Luis Lacey and for the player-manager, Craig Mahon, in the 73rd minute. The substitutions were ultimately not enough as more chances were missed by Curzon throughout the half.

Adam Barton missed a key opportunity in the 77th minute as he saw his header crash off the bar in what was perhaps Curzon’s best attack of the game.

Going into the last 10 minutes Curzon threw everything at Harriers with pressure telling and Amari Morgan-Smith getting booked for pulling Devon Matthews shirt with another free kick being cleared by the Kidderminster defence.

As we went into five additional minutes Nash had two great chances with Devon Matthews being found on the edge of the box after tidy link up play before his effort dragged wide and then with one additional minute remaining the ball went long and eventually fell to Isaac Buckley Richards who couldn’t keep his shot down and fired over the bar to make it a frustrating loss for the Nash.

After meeting on 12 occasions in National League North, The Harriers continued their winning streak at the Tameside Stadium following another 1–0 success in 2023. This result means Kidderminster move up to 6th in the table.

As the games arrive thick and fast, all attention is now being placed on Curzon’s next outing in the Vanarama National League North, an away fixture at Spennymoor Town FC on Saturday in the 3PM kick off. Craig Mahon’s men will be keen to bounce back after disappointing results in the cup and in the league, and with the quality in the side, The Nash will be well aware of their ability to do so.