Kidderminster Harriers 6 Evesham United 2 (From Cotswold Journal)

Kidderminster Harriers 6 Evesham United 2

11:12am Thursday 16th February 2012 in Reports

BELOW-strength Evesham United were seen off spectacularly in extra-time by Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Kidderminster Harriers.

Leading the way for full-time Harriers in the Worcestershire Senior Cup semi-final was recent signing from Romulus, Marvin Johnson, who bagged an impressive hat-trick on his debut.

A place in the final against either Stourbridge or Worcester City awaits Steve Burr’s side, despite it being all-square at 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes.

Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division side Evesham, who included four youth teamers, were dealt a blow before kick-off when former Kidderminster midfielder Neil MacKenzie was injured in the warm-up and replaced by Ryan Keen.

It took the hosts just three minutes to go ahead with Johnson beating debutant keeper Aaron Thomasson with a close-range header.

James Vincent, Anthony Malbon and Callum Gittings all went close to adding to the lead but Evesham were next to find the net when Marcus Palmer scored on the stroke of half-time.

Kidderminster regained the lead eight minutes after the restart through substitute Marc Williams only for Palmer to pull the Robins level for a second time with his 15th goal of the season - a delightful finish over keeper Tony Breeden.

In the closing stages, Thomasson made a superb reflex save from substitute Dan Bradley to send the tie into extra-time.

Four minutes in, Johnson netted his second with a fine finish and he then completed his hat-trick with a well-struck free-kick.

Bradley got on the scoresheet with Harriers’ fifth before fellow midfielder Jack Byrne completed the scoring with four minutes to go.

Harriers: Breeden, Vaughan (Bradley 74), Briscoe, Vincent, Mike Williams, Demetriou, Byrne, Hankin, Gittings (Wright 74), Malbon (Marc Williams 45), Johnson. Subs not used: Lyness, Jones.

Evesham: Thomasson, Spencer, Quaynor, Daniel (Trentham 90), Eze, Connor, Wilson (Bartlam 90), Keen, Wilding, Palmer, McPike (Burness 97). Subs not used: MacKenzie, Clarke.

Attendance: 207.