Two goals from Zak Brown helped strong Vanarama National League newcomers Kidderminster Harriers to a three goal victory in a competitive pre-season friendly, writes David Johnson.

The newly promoted visitors took just 26 seconds to take the lead straight from the kick-off when a Kiddy trialist picked up a right-wing cross and his blocked shot fell for Amari MORGAN-SMITH to beat Dan Platt from the centre of the penalty area.

Another 16th minute fierce strike from Morgan-Smith from the left of the area was then beaten away by Platt.

For the Yeltz, McKauley Manning’s 17th minute cross from the right was cut out by goalkeeper Christian Dibble before Kiddy’s Shane Byrne fired at Platt a minute later.

Jak Hickman did well to cross along goal from the right in the 38th minute but Jack Byrne’s effort struck the post and was cleared away by the visitors.

After the interval a 52nd minute header from home substitute Jack Holmes was clawed away from the top corner by goalkeeper Dibble and at the other end Platt saved with his legs from Brown.

But Brown soon went on to add two further goals from corners to add to Kiddy’s tally. A 57th minute corner from Caleb Richards was met by Nat Knight-Percival with the ball touched home by BROWN.

Another right-wing 64th minute corner from Richards was then headed against the post by a home defender and BROWN pounced to strike his second goal of the game to make it 3-0 as the Yeltz failed to clear.

A late Kieren Donnelly shot was saved low down by Kidderminster substitute goalkeeper Tom Palmer but Platt remained the busier goalkeeper, saving again low down from Jack Lambert with three minutes remaining.

Halesowen Town:(First Half): Dan Platt (c); Josh Ezewele, Trialist A, Jack Byrne, Ryan Wynter, Kieran Morris, Jak Hickman, Nathan Hayward, Trialist B, Jac Redhead, McKauley Manning. Second Half Subs: Trialist C, Kieren Donnelly, George Cater, Jack Holmes, Caine Elliott, Josh Hawker, Miracle Okafor.

Kidderminster Harriers: Christian Dibble; Caleb Richards, Nat Knight-Percival, Krystian Pearce, Kieran Phillips, Amari Morgan-Smith, Zak Brown, Kai Lissimore, Shane Byrne, Matt Preston, Trialist A. Subs: Tom Palmer, Alex Penny, Joe Leesley, Ashley Hemmings, Jack Lambert, Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gerry McDonagh, Samson Hewett, Kobe Hall, Ben Maginness, Sam Downs.

Final score: Halesowen Town 0 Kidderminster Harriers 3

Attendance: 1,016

Booked: Yeltz Trialist A (53), McDonagh (73)