Halifax Town boss Chris Wilder slammed his players performance as unacceptable in the wake of tonight's 6 v 1 hammering at home to Kidderminster Harriers.The result leaves Town firmly in the relegation zone of the Blue Square Premier but the irony of football is that a win over Ebbsfleet United on Thursday night will be enough to take the Club out of the bottom four.
The Manager kept faith with the starting eleven from Saturday's battling performance against Forest Green Rovers but there was no repeat as they were torn apart by a slick Kidderminster side who are the form team in this league.
Iyesden Christie headed an early chance wide and Jon Shaw did likewise for The Shaymen as the game opened evenly.But the Harriers took a 15th minute lead courtesy of Russell Penn who collected a throw in, moved forward unchallenged and shot home from 25 yards.And it was Penn that doubled the advantage 7 minutes later when he found himself in space on the right side of the penalty area after a flowing move down the left and he rifled home an angled drive that gave Craig Mawson no chance.
Simon Heslop tried his luck from distance to no avail before Mawson saved from Andy Ferrell and the third Kidderminster goal arrived shortly afterwards when Christie latched onto a through ball to beat Mawson.
Things got even worse for Town just 2 minutes later when Simon Ainge committed a foul on the edge of his own penalty area and Penn lashed home the free kick to complete a first half hat trick and the visitors held a 4 goal advantage.
An injury time penalty for handball by Ferrell gave Jon Shaw the opportunity to notch his 23rd goal of the season and he duly obliged and Town headed for the dressing rooms to receive the wrath of Chris Wilder.
Matt Doughty replaced Danny Forrest in a tactical switch to a 3-5-2 formation and for a spell Town dominated.Andy Campbell latched onto a Shaw header but shot wide as did Simon Heslop minute s later.Lewis Killeen headed a Doughty cross inches wide but the Harriers extended their advantage in the 65th minute.Christie beat his man and headed for goal only to be upended by Craig Mawson who received his 5th caution of the season and Andy Ferrell converted the penalty.
Russell Penn scored his 4th goal of the evening on 78 minutes when he capitalised on a defensive mix up 35 yards from goal.He advanced towards the area and slotted the ball past Mawson and confirmed Town's biggest home defeat since August 2002 when Northwich Victoria won 5 v 0 at The Shay.
Few Halifax Town players came out of the game with much credit but they have the chance to put things right on Thursday evening when Ebbsfleet are the visitors in what is now a vital game.
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