PHIL Brown insists Kidderminster Harriers will take no risks with Captain Amari Morgan-Smith after confirming the striker suffered a concussion in the 3-0 win over Radcliffe. 

Harriers got their home league season off to a flying start with an eye-catching success over last season’s Northern Premier League Champions at Aggborough on Saturday.

Goals from Zak Brown, Maz Kouhyar and Ashley Hemmings helped make it two wins from two for Brown’s charges in National League North.

Though they saw off Radcliff with reasonable comfort, the victory did come at a cost, namely the loss of striker Morgan-Smith, who came off after just 13 minutes having taken a bang to the head.

After receiving treatment on the pitch for several minutes he was withdrawn, despite his own heavy protests, with his Manager admitting the player was substituted for his own good.

Brown explained after the game: “If I was Morgs I would be exactly the same, I wouldn’t want to come off.

“It would be a brave man to go against him, but I had to be brave, I had to say: ‘you were knocked out, the referee said you were knocked out.’

“Amari is as brave as it gets [but] we’ll take the protocol and rules into consideration.

“He’ll want to be available for Tuesday, but I may have to stand in his way if the rules and regulations are that he can’t play.”

It seems unlikely that Morgan-Smith, who netted in the season opener at Darlington a week prior, would be slotted back into the team in time for the midweek Aggborough clash with Brackley Town as Harriers look to make it nine points from nine at the start of the term.

Brown acknowledged his Captain’s health  will take priority, adding:  “We will toe the line and make sure that, at the end of it, we’ve got a fit and healthy player because it isn’t about two games or five games, it’s about 46 games. 

“We want our Captain available for every one if we can, but if he’s not available, he won’t play.”
 
Against Radcliffe, Zak Brown opened the scoring with a composed 54th minute finish, after Maliq Cadogan had hit the bar from range. 

Two minutes after the opener, it was 2-0 as Brown turned provider for Kouhyar who finished for a second goal of the campaign. 

Hemmings then netted before the hour to make it three goals in four minutes, rounding the goalkeeper to find the net and ensure the hosts were in firm control. 

Attacking players Ben Beresford and Seb Thompson, both of whom featured off the bench for the Reds on Saturday, will be eager to push themselves into contention should Morgan-Smith’s absence be confirmed. 

“We really struggled at home at times last season and that’s what cost us in the end,” the Aggborough boss went on to say.

“If we can take a gauge on the first game at Aggborough [this season], I’m delighted. 

“I’m delighted with the fact we had a clean sheet at half time because Radcliffe were well and truly in the game. 

“I thought: ‘is the first goal going to win it?’ The first goal came along, and it was like London busses, the second one came along and the third one came along, within a short space of time. 

“That’s a lovely feeling as a Manager.”