KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Phil Brown praised his team’s ‘bottle’ as they closed the gap on National League North leaders Scunthorpe.
Ashley Hemmings was the Harriers’ hero again as he scored the only goal of the night at play-off rivals Brackley Town.
Hemmings’ strike came after just four minutes – and it was all Brown’s side needed to move within two points of Scunthorpe.
The winner came when Dave Worrall’s cross was headed home by Hemmings for his 27th goal of the season.
Brown told the club’s official YouTube channel: “I was happy in the main about the resilience of the performance more than anything else.
“These pressure cooker situations crop up every so often. This was decent opposition, good rivals, one of the teams that are in and around us in the division – and it was always going to be about botttle. But I thought we showed just enough of that.
“We put our heads in, put bodies on the lane. People who I’ve been asking to do that all season are actually stepping up to the plate now and at the business end of the season, which is the reason why I’m smiling.
“We’ve come here, got a clean sheet and scored a great goal again. I don’t know how many goals Ashley Hemmings has to get to be player of the season. But he’s well on his way with that.”
Brown says Harriers put down another ‘marker’ with this result.
He added: “People talk about momentum, but it’s about being at the right end of the division, in the right position at the right time of the season.
“I’m not predicting anything by any stretch of imagination. But it’s just about coming to places like Brackley and winning 1-0 again.
“It’s an unbelievable marker set down to the rest of the division.
Safe travels home ❤
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— Kidderminster Harriers 🦅 (@khfcofficial) March 25, 2025
“I wouldn’t say they wiped the floor with us early on in the season, but they beat us when we were down to a weaker side. That’s all I can say.
“Now we’re stronger with the addition of two good footballers who know their way around the park at a higher level as well.”
Brown also defended his decision to play Worrall – despite injury concerns.
He added: “The physio erred on the side of caution, but it’s a case of needs must.
“If we give him two weeks off, then it might be too late.
“Dave’s contributed to five or six wins wins since coming here and another here. He looks like he wants to be here.”
