AFC Telford analysis: Bucks reeling after smash and grab raid
There are certain games in a season where you can throw everything but the kitchen sink at teams, and still come away with nothing.
This was one of those afternoons for Telford.
They fell behind after just three minutes, and despite huffing and puffing and at times trying to ram the Kidderminster door down, they just couldn’t salvage anything from the game.
In a smash and grab raid by Harriers, it seems Telford could have been going into the late hours of Saturday and still not have scored.
Going into this one, the Bucks were the red-hot favourites and knew a victory could potentially take them up to the lofty heights of second in National League North.
In contrast, the visitors had endured a torrid run of one win in five and were under the guidance of their chairman Colin Gordon, who recently installed himself as manager.
Bucks boss Gavin Cowan opted for his usual 3-5-2 formation, with two changes as Josef Bursik was recalled in place of Andy Wycherley, despite a top performance last week and James McQuilkin returning to the line-up against his former club, in place of Jon Royle.
In recent weeks Telford have begun on the front foot, and taken games to their opponents. But they weren’t allowed to do that in this one, with Kidderminster pressing high from the off.
It took the visitors just three minutes to get their reward – and it was a fine strike that broke the deadlock.
After winning back possession, Ashley Chambers flicked the ball into the path of on-loan West Bromwich Albion winger Nick Clayton-Phillips, who beat Bursik with aplomb from 18 yards.
It left the 1,700 crowd inside the New Bucks Head stunned, and it could have been two but for a smart stop from Bursik to keep out Chambers.
The first half was to be full of talking points, mainly involving the referee, Elliot Swallow.
The first came on just seven minutes, when Telford felt like they should have had a penalty.
Amari Morgan-Smith’s ball sent Daniel Udoh clear and he was wiped out by keeper Brandon Hall as he chipped an effort over the bar.
The referee waved away big penalty shouts and bizarrely gave a corner.
It was the first of three questionable decisions made by the man in the middle.
Darryl Knights was lucky to get away with a booking for a high tackle, and Josh Heaton controversially escaped a second yellow card for a challenge on Morgan-Smith.
It was a disappointing first half for Telford, who didn’t look their usual stylish selves. Kidderminster were matching them up, forcing mistakes and getting the better of them. Despite one chance on the break for Chambers in the second half though, it was all Telford.
Knights had a shot blocked, before substitute Marcus Dinanga lashed just inches wide with virtually his first touch of the game.
Telford swung in cross after cross, mainly from Ryan Barnett who was exceptional at times down the right.
But they struggled for any end product, and were being kept out by a resolute Harriers backline.
Scrambles were cleared, shots were blocked, and right at the death Knights lashed over from eight yards out. That summed their afternoon up. It just wasn’t going to be Telford’s day.
