Harriers 1 (Appleby pen ) Macc 0 HT 0-0

So Harriers moved off the bottom with this close fought win over high riding Macclesfield. In the end the result is all that matters and in truth Harriers didn’t exactly set the world alight over the 90 minutes. However this is a start, Icy Christie’s debut in the last 25 minutes gave some optimism along with the fact that some decent chances were created.

After a rather dull opening period, where Macc had the upper hand Kidder emerged for the 2^nd half and put in a much improved display. Diop went close twice as did Dean Keates with a rasping drive but it was the introduction of “Icy” Christie which gave Kidder their main thrust. The former Mansfield man was desperately unlucky with a bullet header which was saved by Wilson in the Macc goal, although its fair to say he didn’t know much about it. Despite this Harriers were again indebted to John Danby, who pushed a goal bound Macc effort onto a post before it was hacked to safety.

The game was in some way decided by our lovely friend the referee once more in a crazy few minutes. Firstly Steve Mc Mahon was adjudged to have hauled down a Macc forward following a bit of a scramble. I was too far away to see it but some suggest that Hatswell had already been fouled in the build up. The ref then made Macc forward Tipton wait quite a while before allowing him to take the spot kick. He dealt with Kidders protests and then even went back to the half way line to book Christie for dissent before the kick was eventually taken and put wide.

Within a couple of minutes Harriers had won themselves a penalty and again with some controversy. Harriers had already had one half hearted appeal turned down but this time there was no doubt about the foul, just where it took place. Sub Simon Brown raced onto a Christie flick and was clear through with just the keeper to beat when Graham Potter brought him down. This time I did see it and it looked like the 1^st contact was just outside the area with the players obviously following through into the box. The linesman indicated that it was in the area and Harriers got their penalty whilst Potter was sent off for a pro foul. Maybe a penalty should always be given with the player staying on for pro fouls outside the area ?

Again another delay, not just the protests but the ref making sure everyone wasn’t going to commit an infringement. Just like Tipton, this must have added to Richie Appleby’s nerves as he waited. Fear not, Appleby  buried the pen, sending Wilson the wrong way. Perhaps with his eyes as Jan says ?

Harriers played out the remaining 10 mins without too much of a threat from 10 men Macc, although sub Sheron forced another smart save out of Danby and all three points were ours. A bit fortunate but we were due some luck on the ref front. This moves Kidder off the bottom but were still in the drop zone.

The indicator is on, lets start to turn that wheel now.

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