Robbie Matthews grabs the winner to put Kidderminster into Semis.
Oxford United 1-2 Kidderminster Harriers
The FA Carlsberg Trophy
Fourth Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 20 February 2010
Kassam Stadium, Oxford United FC
Winning clubs will receive £8,000 from The FA prize fund
Click here for results Kidderminster Harriers are now just one game from Wembley after defeating Conference Premier leaders Oxford United 2-1 at the Kassam Stadium in the FA Trophy Fourth Round.
Robbie Matthews was the visitor’s hero, the striker grabbing Kidderminster’s winning goal just seven minutes from full-time after an entertaining clash that could have been won by either side.
After Oxford’s Matt Green had equalised Brian Smikle’s opening goal midway through the second-half, both sides poured forward in search of a winner.
And after chances at either end, Smikle broke away down the right-hand side before passing to Matthews who was left all alone to tap in and settle the tie.
Oxford, who progressed to the last eight of the competition thanks to a 3-1 over Chelmsford City in the Third Round, had started the game brightly with both James Constable and Simon Clist testing visiting goalkeeper Ross Atkins.
But it was Kidderminster, unbeaten in their two league meetings against the Conference Premier leaders this season, who took the lead against the run of play on 16 minutes.
Midfielder Dean Bennett broke away down the right-hand side before playing an early near-post cross to Smikle who finished expertly from close range.
Oxford probed for an equaliser throughout the rest of the first-half but were unable to break down an organised Kidderminster side, who grew in confidence after going a goal ahead.
But the home side continued to press after the restart and eventually their greater share of possession finally told after 64 minutes.
Green reacted first to the powerful Constable’s flick-on and the striker, on loan from Torquay United, was left with a simple finish.
In an end-to-end final quarter of the match both sides surged forward in search of a winning goal.
But it was Matthews’ strike, after 83 minutes, that settled the tie and left the travelling Kidderminster supporters dreaming of a Wembley appearence in May.
