KIDDY HAUNTED BY AN OLD BOY
SPORTS player-manager Michael Gash was the hero as his winner, three minutes into stoppage time, saw the home side knock out National League Kidderminster at PIMS Park.
Gash, who had one loan and one permanent spell with Harriers, helped his side overcome their higher-ranked opponents in the dying moments.
However, the Turbines dominated the game throughout having named an unchanged XI from their 1-1 draw with Chester in midweek.
Kiddy made several changes from the side that beat Oxford City 3-2 with Ashley Hemmings, Amari Morgan-Smith, Jack Lambert and Shane Byrne dropping to the bench from the XI.
It was evident from the first minute that the hosts were up for this tie and they came out of the blocks fast and had the best of the early chances.
On four minutes, forward Ben Fowkes was able to twist and turn in the area and fire a left-footed effort towards goal but Tom Palmer made a good save to deny him.
A few moments later, Zak Brown saw an effort well saved by Peter Crook at the other end.
Chances continued to arrive for Sports, in particular seeing Josh McCammon played through on 44 minutes but the visitors’ Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain was able to get back in the nick of time to block the shot that soon followed.
The game became more open in the second half and Kidderminster certainly began to grow into the action.
Kaine Felix saw an effort well-saved by Palmer on 51 minutes and then a minute later, defender Rory McAuley was gifted a free header from a corner but sent his effort just over the bar.
There was a decent chance for Kai Lissimore on 63 minutes as he was able to drive through a sea of bodies and send an effort just over the bar of Crook’s goal.
As the game looked to be heading to a penalty shoot-out, it was meant to be that former Harriers player, now Sports player-boss Gash was to score the winner and his big moment came in the last minute of added time.
Felix did brilliantly to get to the ball from a clearance, beat his man and drive down the right-hand side towards the visitors’ goal. What followed was a cross of pinpoint accuracy which found Gash in acres of space in the box and he was able to take a touch and smash the ball past Palmer.
The hosts then did enough to see out the game and book their place in the quarter-finals.
Gash’s fellow joint-manager Luke Steele said after the game: “It was like an out-of-body experience scoring in the last minute like that.
“I am so proud of the players, we had our chances and defended so well.”
STAR MAN: Michael Gash (Peterborough) ATT: 601 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Aaron Bannister