A goal in each half by Lee McEvilly ended the Kidderminster 'hoodoo' as the U's beat the visitors for the first time since 1959 and for the first time ever at home.

Gary Brabin was forced into one change after Saturday's goal creator Andy Parkinson injured his knee in training on Monday, with teenager Robbie Willmott coming into the side in his place.

Kidderminster boss Mark Yates made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 at home to Lewes, calling up Matt Barnes-Homer and Paul Bignott to a side also including former U's loanee Darryl Knights.

With the gusting wind behind them, the visitors started brightly and earned a free kick in the opening minute while midfielder Ferrell launched an optimistic shot well over the crossbar soon afterwards.

United had defending to do in the opening stages but in the seventh minute Saturday's goal hero Felino Jardim drew the first save from Adam Bartlett with a shot from the edge of the area, and two minutes later he ghosted in at the back post and only just missed a cross, although the ball was smuggled behind for a corner.

There was more defending to do and the towering figure of Phil Bolland headed a cross away in the 13th minute to send Robbie Willmott away on a lightning fast run down the right. He waited for support and tried to pick out Jardim's run into space but the Dutchman was caught out by the offside flag on the far side.

United were playing neat, attractive football going forward and two minutes later Beesley played a neat reverse pass to Jardim, who played a one-two with Willmott and then went for the spectacular with a kick that flew off target.

Again United threatened in the 17th minute when the goalkeeper missed a cross that fell for Willmott, who tried to tee up Jardim but he couldn't quite connect with the pass and the ball was hacked away, and on 20 Beesley earned a corner that was headed on by McEvilly to Beesley but Bartlett made a vital punch to clear the ball.

The visitors escaped from their half on 24 and Barnes-Homer, who scored twice here last season, turned on the ball and shot straight at Potter, but three minutes later the stadium erupted as United took the lead.

It followed a superb move started in midfield by Jon Challinor who picked out Mark Beesley in space on the left, his shot from the edge of the area was blocked by keeper Bartlett but only as far as Lee McEvilly who pounced from six yards to fire home his first goal of the new season.

The visitors regrouped and put the United defence under sustained pressure on the half hour, and with the defence looking ragged and Darryl Knights probing a ball ran loose for midfielder Simon Russell inside the area and Potter spread himself well and saved with his feet.

On 34 Justin Richards' cross was cleared behind by Tonkin but McEvilly rose to head the flagkick away, five minutes later the same man attempted an overhead kick, and moments later Ferrell volleyed a 20-yard shot well over the bar as he was charged down by the defence.

Luke Jones was fortunate to escape a booking in the 43rd minute when he was turned by McEvilly on the halfway line and hauled him down by his shirt, but two minutes later Ferrell clattered into Challinor and became the first entry in Mr Halliday's book.

Jardim tangled with his marker and there was a bit of a scuffle as play entered stoppage time, and then Beesley chased a through ball but was just beaten to it by the goalkeeper as the half ended on an exciting note.

Half-time summary from match commentator Mark Johnson:
"A good half of exciting football with Kidderminster putting the pressure on as they tried to make the most of the wind at their backs, but United have the goal and deserve it for enterprising wing play."

Second half:
Both sides emerged unchanged after the break and United earned a corner within two minutes while Darryl Knights lashed a shot wide in the 49th minute and Danny Potter dived to collect a 25-yard volley by Russell a minute later.

Beesley tried to lob Bartlett from outside the area on 52 but the Kidderminster keeper made a cool save, and with a few niggling challenges creeping into the game the previously lenient referee had to speak to a few players to try to calm things down.

Jardim took exception to some of the rough challenges coming his way and he and Russell Penn were called over for a talking-to in the 57th minute, and moments later Farrell was penalised for a foul on Challinor just outside the area and McEvilly went close to repeating that memorable free kick at Burton in the play-offs, flashing the ball over the wall and inches wide of the far post.

Martin Brittain replaced Darryl Knights for Kidderminster in the 59th minute, and two minutes later United extended the lead against their 'bogey' side.

It was a wonderfully crafted goal as Felino Jardim delivered a brilliantly measured cross and Lee McEvilly dipped his head to nod the ball into the top right hand corner for his second goal of the game.

Kidderminster threatened on 64 when Carden fouled Barnes-Homer and Brittain's free kick was blocked behind off Challinor for a corner that was cleared by Gleeson, then on 70 Challinor was harshly booked for timewasting when he appeared to be waiting for a signal from the referee.

United continued to press and in the 72nd minute Beesley got through one-on-one but Bartlett was out to narrow the angle and with McEvilly charging up in support Beesley's attempted lob was snatched by the keeper.

Moments later Farrell again tried his luck from distance and again missed the target by a distance, to shouts of derision from the home fans in the South Stand, and David McDermott replaced Russell in the Kidderminster midfield.

United enjoyed a spell of pressure with fifteen minutes left when the visiting defence had to deal with three consecutive Jardim corners, United's second booking arrived on 77 when Jardim won the ball from Brittain with a thunderous challenge and was harshly booked, especially considering the rough treatment meted out to him during the game.

There was a scare on 78 when Barnes-Homer met a free kick with a clever header that almost sneaked under the bar, but United raced up the other end and almost scored following another good move down the left. Jardin linked with the overlapping Tonkin whose cross to the near post was headed narrowly wide by Mark Beesley.

Gary Brabin made his first change on 82 to send on Swansea loanee Chris Jones for Robbie Willmott, who left the pitch to thoroughly deserved applause, and as the flowing football continued Gleeson drew a good save from Bartlett with a dangerous 85th minute cross.

A minute McDermott clattered into a very late challenge on Gleeson and both captains were called to the referee to defuse the situation, Beesley lifted a shot over the bar from the left hand side, but Kidderminster clawed a soft goal back in the 90th minute.

Hatswell blocked Creighton's shot at a corner but as play continued Penn fed the ball back into the area and Justin Richards turned it home at the far post, to muted celebrations from the 85 away fans on the South Habbin terrace.

There was still time for another booking as Paul Carden was punished for a crunching challenge that left Penn in a heap and unable to continue, being replaced by Dean Bennett in the 93rd minute, and McEvilly stood firm to clear the free kick.

Ben Farrell was poised to enter the fray as United's second substitution but the final whistle blew first to mark United's first ever home win against Kidderminster, and the first victory against them since 1959.

Cambridge United:
Danny Potter, Dan Gleeson, Phil Bolland, Wayne Hatswell, Anthony Tonkin; Robbie Willmott (Chris Jones 82'), Paul Carden (c), Jon Challinor, Felino Jardim; Lee McEvilly, Mark Beesley.
Subs not used: Josh Coulson, Ben Farrell, Gavin Hoyte, Darren Quinton.

Booked: Challinor timewasting 70', Jardim foul 77', Carden foul 90'

Kidderminster Harriers:
Adam Bartlett, Michael Bowler, Luke Jones, Mark Creighton (c), Paul Bignott; Russell Penn (Dean Bennett 90'), Andrew Ferrell, Simon Russell (David McDermott 73'), Darryl Knights (Martin Brittain 59'); Matthew Barnes-Homer, Justin Richards.
Subs not used: Dean Coleman, Martin Riley.

Booked: Ferrell foul 45'

Referee: Mr Andrew Halliday

Att: 3,008 (away 85)

Match Summary by match commentator Mark Johnson:
"United survived a late scare to maintain their 100% start to the season and lay the Kidderminster hoodoo to rest. United hadn't beaten the Harriers since 1959 but that record was in jeopardy long before Lee McEvilly fired the U's into the lead just before the half hour, and he added a second courtesy of Felino Jardim's wing-wizardry on the hour. The lively visitors played their part in an entertaining match and hauled a goal back late in the game but United's victory was as encouraging as it was deserved."

Mark's Man of the Match:
"Felino Jardim - old-fashioned wing play that terrorised Kidderminster. Honourable mentions for Lee McEvilly for his hard work and two goals, Messrs Carden and Challinor who worked tirelessly in midfield, and a defence that looks increasingly solid."

Ref: Mr Halliday - seemed to have a problem with anatomy, particularly knowing where the hand was, leading to a number of strange decisions - or lack thereof - for handball. Hopefully he'll have better games. 5/10."

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