Bradley 34, 56, 68; Ironside 53 (Pen), Richards 87
Key Moments
HARRIERS produced a thoroughly dominant showing to ease themselves through to the next round of the Emirates FA Cup thanks to a 5-0 win over Atherstone Town.
Dan Bradley netted a hat-trick while goals from Joe Ironside and Kane Richards added to the tally.
Today's game was sponsored by MG Exhibitions
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HARRIERS produced a thoroughly dominant showing to ease themselves through to the next round of the Emirates FA Cup thanks to a 5-0 win over Atherstone Town.
Dan Bradley netted a hat-trick while goals from Joe Ironside and Kane Richards added to the tally.
The home side dominated their visitors and showed zero signs that they'd be taking their task lightly - racking up well over 30 attempts at goal through the afternoon, with Atherstone managing just a couple.
The first half was as one-sided a half as you'll see, with Bradley, Williams and Ironside all racking up early chances for Harriers as the goalkeeper found himself quickly overworked, his save from Bradley on 21 minutes certainly not his first.
Baxendale, Bradley and Horsfall then went close before the pressure finally told on 34 minutes with the opening goal; Bradley on hand to finish after O'Neill had parried a Weeks shot. There should have been an immediate second but a block, a save and an effort against the bar in quick succession kept Atherstone in sight.
Harriers quickly set about adding to their tally after the break and had the chance from 12 yards with just eight minutes gone - Ironside picking himself up after being fouled by Bilic to tuck away from the spot.
That seemed to deflate the visitors as, a couple of minutes later, it was 3-0 as Weeks and Ironside and Bradley combined superbly for the latter to finish into an empty net, going within inches of his hat-trick just seconds later as he drove wide.
On 67 minutes, Baxter struck over with the visitors' first chance of the day, before Bradley wrapped up his treble by sticking away yet another superb pass from Weeks.
Hall's only save of the day was a smart one to tip over a free-kick from Ruff, but Harriers completed their scoring 13 minutes later, with just a few to play, when Richards was quickest to meet Vaugan's driven cross to find the net.
Kidderminster Harriers
Atherstone Town
Kidderminster Harriers
Richards 67 Taylor Randle 81
Stratford 76Substitutes
Ironside 67 Williams 76 Bradley 81 Atherstone Town
Harris 81 Ruff 58 Obi 70Substitutes
Williams 58 Naughton 70 Goodby 81
JIMMY O’Connor is demanding Harriers maintain their high standards as they enter the Emirates FA Cup against Atherstone Town on Saturday.
The Reds face a tough task at the weekend against an Adders side who’ll come to Aggborough with sights firmly set on causing a Cup upset.
While sitting four levels below Harriers in the pyramid, the team have begun their season strongly, particularly in this competition where they have already successfully negotiated three rounds – including one upset in the Preliminary Round.
Ivor Green’s side were tasked with travelling to Bedworth, some 40 places higher than them in non-league. They completed the job in some style, wrapping up a 3-1 victory.
So, while skipper O’Connor rightly says that Harriers can be confident when playing on their own patch, it will be vital to approach the tie with the correct mindset.
He told our official YouTube channel: “With any draw in the FA Cup, you always ask for a home tie – that’s what you want first and foremost.
Saturday presents a different challenge and they have earned the right to be in this round of the FA Cup..." Jimmy O'Connor
“We’ve got that, against a team who are a couple of divisions lower, and that presents different challenges.
“There’s a bit of pressure because we’re expected to win and it’s the FA Cup so we want to go as far as we can and get to that First Round.
“We’ll prepare right and go in with the right attitude.”
Saturday’s game is a contrast in terms of the type of challenge presented to the Reds in National League North.
While the men from Aggborough can typically fly under the radar in the league, it will be Atherstone who come to town at the weekend with the tags of underdog.
“We’re at home and we always fancy our chances against anybody,” added the former Walsall man.
“If we prepare right, do what we’re supposed to do and stick to our game plan, I’d fancy us against anybody.
“You respect the opposition and we’ll do that, definitely, but we’ll be looking for a win like we do every week.
“Saturday presents a different challenge and they have earned the right to be in this round of the FA Cup, so fair play to them – but we have to focus on ourselves on Saturday and make sure we keep hitting those levels and maintain those high standards.
“If we do that I’m sure we’ll get a positive result.”
WATCH: Jimmy O’Connor’s pre-match video interview courtesy of our YouTube channel by clicking the video tab above.
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Jimmy O'Connor pre-match
Jamex Baxendale post-match
Neil MacFarlane post-match
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