Harriers edged out in first defeat

HELMSHORE Harriers suffered their first league defeat of the season in a closely contested tie against Rhoden Inn.

In a game of few chances, Harriers’ first fell to Tom Schofield, his strike was easily saved though. If Harriers were to score it seemed likely to come from a set piece, with Schofield passing up another opportunity just as the first half came to a close. From a short freekick, the ball was worked into the box but the number 9’s looping header was unable to trouble the keeper.

It was from this attacking position that Rhoden were able to score. Quickly playing a ball through the middle of the covering defenders their striker was able to easily slot the ball beyond keeper Jake Chadwick.

At half-time Christian Dallimore was introduced on the right and Pete Burns came on upfront. Harriers started the half strongly and should have equalised with the substitutes almost making an instant impact.

After some good work in the middle, Dallimore found himself in acres of space and with a pinpoint cross found the head of the arriving Burns at the back post. With the keeper beaten, Burns’ header unfortunately went straight back across goal.

Harriers would rue their missed chances as Rhoden soon made it

2-0. An unpressured strike from distance bobbled right in front of Chadwick, who was wrong footed and could only watch the ball trickle into the net.

Showing the attitude the Harriers now advocate the team pushed on and the hard work continued. Dallimore continued to cause problems down the right, cutting in from the right from a through ball from Hillier and baring down on goal, he could only fire over the bar.

There were some questionable decisions throughout by the away linesman. This led to many heated debates with our captain on behalf of the team who tried to convey to the ref that he could overrule the linesman if he could see the line himself. The ref must have had enough as he invoked the new sin-bin rule for Hillier who then had to spend 10 minutes on the sidelines to cool off leaving the Harriers with 10 men.

Pete Burns made a break from the halfway line and was brought down by their CB who was dismissed for a second yellow, reducing them to 10 also.

Harriers forced the issue and with 10 minutes remaining pulled 1 back through man of the match Hillier. He created space between the Rhoden defenders and Ryan Sidley found him with a clipped through ball. Hillier brought the ball down on his chest and struck the ball into the ground and over the onrushing keeper.

Burns then had the opportunity to make it

2-2, his powerful snapshot stung the palms of the keeper, who managed to do just about enough to stop it squirming over the line.

The result leaves Harriers in 5th place after just two games, having won one and lost one.

They will hope to put this result behind them this weekend when they face Accrington Old Boys at Pleasington Playing Fields in Blackburn, 10.30am KO, Sunday 4th October.