KIDDERMINSTER Harriers faced penalty heartbreak against Bromley in their monumental National League Under 19 Alliance League Cup final at St George’s Park, writes Duke Minnell.
They let slip a 2-0 lead in normal time to draw 2-2 before going down 4-1 in a heart-stopping penalty shootout.
The Reds travelled to the home of the FA with Alex Rider dropping to the bench in favour of Samson Hewitt.
Following a bright start from both sides, Harriers took the early advantage.
Max Moore received the ball under pressure before driving a shot into the bottom corner to put them 1-0 up after 15 minutes, completing the remarkable achievement of finding the net in each round of the competition.
It didn’t take long to double that advantage as a ball down the channel found Josh Yeboah who showed great strength to hold off his man before smashing his angled effort past helpless keeper Harry Haines.
Bromley battled back though and a well-struck shot by Sam Hards arrowed into the top corner to give hope going into the break.
The Ravens should have made it 2-2 after a stunning cross from Ryan Jameson was narrowly missed at the back post.
Two minutes later Kobe Hall’s deft touch unlocked the defence as Harriers went close to wrapping things up.
Hall could be proud of his performance with the Harriers number nine producing a highly-impressive display.
After a flurry of substitutions Harriers’ luck ran out in the 78th minute as Bromley nabbed the equaliser when Yuvi Maan’s cross was headed home by sub George Evans.
Despite both sides’ efforts, the game couldn’t be settled in the 90 minutes and the final went to penalties.
Haines did his best to disrupt the penalty takers, an approach that would prove successful as Harriers missed their first two whilst Bromley scored theirs.
Natty Hewitt’s strike regained some hope before Tade Ibrahim’s composed finish destined the Reds to defeat.
A disappointed Hall said: “The result is obviously disappointing — we started well but were sloppy in the second half and it cost us.
“But it’s a blessing to play at St George’s Park in a cup final and all we can do is go again."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here