WHIZZ KIDD AMARI
Keeper’s howlers help Morgan-smith dethrone Royals
KIDDERMINSTER fans staged a mass pitch invasion as they celebrated another FA Cup giant-killing.
Hundreds of supporters ran on to the Aggborough pitch at the final whistle to greet this famous – and completely deserved – win.
Second-half goals from captain Sam Austin and Amari Morgan-smith – after goalkeeping howlers from Rafael – overturned a Reading opener from George Puscas and put Harriers in dreamland.
Harriers, who play in National League North, are 79 places and four leagues below the Championship
Royals. But the minnows bridged the gap – and then some – to reach the fourth round for the first time in eight years.
Kiddy boss Russell Penn said: “I’m so proud of the players and the club.
“At half-time, we said it’s about staying in the game, and when we got the equaliser, it felt like there was only going to be one winner.”
Penn is relishing today’s fourth round draw, and added: “I’m a Wolves fan, but Wolves, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea – it’s mad to even be talking about these clubs.” Austin said: “I’d love a Prem team. Personally Man City – the level of players is ridiculous. That would be a once-in-alifetime experience.”
Many of the 1,458 Reading fans chanted “You’re getting sacked in the morning” at boss Veljko Paunovic and “This is an embarrassment”.
Kiddy fans rushed towards the Reading end at the final whistle and a bottle of water was thrown on the pitch and some blows exchanged before order was restored.
Paunovic said: “The safety of all of us was put in jeopardy and even worse things could have happened.”
But this day belonged to Kidderminster.
Reading took the lead in the 45th minute against the run of play.
Danny Drinkwater’s chip was controlled by Tom Dele-bashiru for Puscas to rifle home.
But the Royals suffered a blow when sub Felipe Araruna, who was playing only his second game after 18 months out injured, was carried off on a stretcher.
This prompted 12 minutes of added time, which became 15 after a blue flare was hurled on to the pitch from Reading fans.
Harriers levelled on 69 minutes with Austin’s low drive squirming past Rafael after Mark Carrington headed down Alex Penny’s deep cross.
Then a scramble followed Ashley Hemmings’ corner in the 82nd minute – which seemed to go right through Rafael – and Morgan-smith prodded the ball over the line to spark mayhem.
KIDDERMINSTER: Simpson 8; Penny 9, Cameron 8, Bajrami 9, Richards 9; Hemmings 9, Carrington 9, Martin 9 (Montrose 90), Sterling 9; Austin 9; Morgan-smith 9 ( Freemantle 84).
Subs not used: Lowe, Foulkes, White, Emery, Tolley, Bastable.
READING: Rafael; Tetek 6 (Araruna 59, 6, Stickland 64, 6), Holmes 5 (Laurent 46, 6), Holzman 6, Bristow 6; Drinkwater 7 (Rinomhota 58, 6), Dele-bashiru 7; Halilovic 6 (Azeez 40, 6), Osorio 6, Camara 6; Puscas 7.
Subs not used: Southwood, Senga.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Amari Morgansmith. Bullied Reading’s defence throughout and grabbed a priceless winner.
REFEREE: Gavin Ward 7.