Kidderminster Harriers promoted to the National League
They beat Brackley Town 2-0 in the National League North play-off final
Kidderminster Harriers have been promoted to the National League after a confident 2-0 win at Brackley Town.
A brace from Ashley Hemmings was the difference between the two sides at full time, meaning Harriers will be back on non-league’s top flight for the first time since 2016.
Harriers named an unchanged starting XI to the one that secured their place in the final with a 4-1 win at King’s Lynn a week ago.
Within the opening two minutes, Harriers won themselves two corners, but resolute defending from Brackley meant 30’s corners were dealt, but moments later Amari Morgan Smith’s effort went agonisingly wide to prevent Harriers taking an early lead.
At the other end of the field, 2’s foul gifted Brackley a free kick on the right flank, and with harriers failing to clear the danger, 4’s effort was pushed over the crossbar by keeper Christian Dibble.
A sustained period of Brackley pressure meant the hosts could’ve taken the lead, but it was Kidderminster who drew first blood. Ashley Hemmings capitalised on a mistake on the left, bursting forward and rolling the ball past keeper Danny Lewis.
Despite being in the back foot, Brackley continued to search for their first goal, with changes for Jordan Richards, George Carline and Theo Robinson leading to a nervy end to the first half for Kidderminster’s travelling contingent.
Into the second half and attacking their homes fans, Brackley looked to get off to the best possible start after a relatively even first 45 minutes. But despite the positive start, Harriers came closest to scoring as Morgan-Smith found himself unmarked in the danger area, but he failed to get onto the end of a driven cross from the left.
But Morgan-Smith then found himself pivotal in the build-up to Harriers doubling their lead, teaming up with Zak Brown to tee-up Ashley Hemmings in front of goal.
Facing an up-hill battle, the Saints made a double substitution and tested Harriers defence again but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Powerful efforts from outside the area from Ashley Hemmings and Shane Byrne almost saw Harriers extend their lead, but despite some late pressure from Brackley, the visitors booked their place in the National League next season.