Harriers 4, Hereford 1

A STIRRING second half display saw Harriers sweep aside spirited Hereford to win the inaugural Steve Millington Cup.

After a first half edged by the Bulls, Kidderminster came to life and wrapped up the silverware thanks to goals for Mani Dieseruvwe, Arthur Gnahoua, Tyrell Waite and a trialist.

The game was a fitting tribute for the much-missed Steve Millington, who was a popular chairman of fans trust KHIST and advised Hereford supporters when they set up their own group.

Harriers fielded a very strong team, which included forward Waite, who had impressed while on trial.

With the likes of James McQuilkin and Sam Austin on the bench, the hosts boasted plenty of attacking options on the bench.

Hereford also field a strong side and from the first minute decided to combat the home team's slick passing with some robust and fair challenges.

Gnahoua saw a firm effort fly wide in the fourth minute, while Elton Ngwatala also saw a similar effort go side in the tenth minute after a strong run.

But it was the visitors, who won the Midlands Football Premier last season, who had the extra cutting edge and were dangerous from wide areas.

Kidderminster keeper Sam Hornby made a fine save in the 12th, tipping over Jamie Cuss's bullet header.

The game was turning into an energetic end-to-end affair and the lively Ngwatala could only end a dazzling run with a wayward long range shot.

Hereford livewire Pablo Haysham was given a chance at goal after a slip but fired over the bar in the 16th minute.

Aaron Birch was bossing the game for the visitors and he found Haysham but the forward's effort did not test Hornby.

But the hosts stuck to their slick passing game and swash-buckling full-back Zaine Francis-Angol saw a low effort hit keeper Alex Harris.

A Rob Purdie free-kick in the 42nd minute troubled the hosts, who eventually cleared after defender Chris Barker saw two effort blocked.

Hereford started the second half with intent and John Mills raced free inside 60 seconds after the restart but blazed over the bar.

Harriers made a change at the start of the period, taking off the ineffective Andre Brown and bringing on Dieseruvwe.

The home side tried to crank up the pressure, with Keith Lowe heading off target and and Tyrrell firing over the bar in the 55th minute after a driving run.

In the 55th minute, former Bulls wideman James McQuilkin replaced a trialist.

The two changes added extra impetus for the home side and they opened the scoring on the hour mark when Gnahoua smashed home after a driving run and cross from Waite.

Dieseruvwe added a second four minutes later with a close range finish.

The hosts were forced into a change in the 72nd minute when Tyrone Williams had to be stretchered off after an awkward fall.

The impressive Mills had pulled a goal back in the 78th minute with a spectacular overhead kick that crashed off the inside of the bar and crossed the line.

But Kiddy restored their lead 60 seconds later when Tyrell slotted home from the spot.

Harriers completed the rout in the 85th minute when a trialist headed home emphatically at the far post from a Sam Austin cross.

Harriers: Hornby, Williams (Hancocks, 72), Francis-Angol, Carter, Lowe, Thomas, Waite, Trialist (McQuilkin, 55), Brown (Dieseruvwe, 46), Ngwatala (trialist, 74), Gnahoua (Austin, 67).

Subs not used: Brown.

Hereford: Harris, Parry, Edge (Robbins, 83), Purdie, Barker, Tumelty, Staley, Birch (Phillips, 71), Mills, Haysham (Huntbach, 83) Cuss.

Subs not used: Clarke, Horsell.

Referee: Steve Plane (West Midlands) Attendance: 989