Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s Radcliffe endured our first-ever National League North away game as the side travelled to recently-relegated Kidderminster Harriers at the Aggborough Stadium, but came away on the end of a disappointing defeat.

In a bizarre five-minute spell, Zak Brown, Max Kouhyar and Ashley Hemmings all found the back of the Boro net only moments into the second half, putting the game comfortably to bed in favour of the hosts.

Mateusz Hewelt was called into action on the five-minute mark after Joe Foulkes was played in behind, Radcliffe’s number one was quickly out of his goal to narrow down the angle and deny any early scares.

Shortly after, Josh Hancock’s corner created the Boro’s first effort with a floated cross into the back post where Josh Wardle was waiting to pounce, the summer signing rose highest to nod towards the target and his attempt clipped the top of the crossbar before bouncing out for a goal kick.

Jude Oyibo began to find the ball at his feet on a regular basis and often set off on one of his trademark runs down the left-hand side, almost creating an opportunity for Jordan Hulme in the 17th minute, only to see his cross thumped clear at the last second by Paul Downing.

In a similar move after superbly winning the ball back for the visitors inside his own half, Oyibo darted towards the final third and once again aimed for Hulme in the middle, putting a teasing cross into the corridor of uncertainty which only just evaded the outstretched striker who couldn’t apply the finishing touch.

As the half edged closer to its conclusion, Kidderminster’s last real chance of opening the scoring before the break fell the way of Maliq Cadogan just inside the box, as the ball bounced kindly for the midfielder to take aim with a low shot on the volley, dragging narrowly wide of the left post whilst Hewelt scrambled to stop the effort.

After the restart, Hancock couldn’t make the most of a dangerous free kick in a central area on the edge of the box, seeing his powerful strike blocked by a Kidderminster defender on its travels.

Phil Brown’s side broke the deadlock with 52 minutes on the clock, opening the floodgates for further goals moments later. Scott Duxbury’s miscued clearance allowed Zak Brown to have a free run at goal with acres of space, slotting past Hewelt into the near post before wheeling away in celebration.

Almost immediately after Radcliffe kicked off once again, Maz Kouhyar got in on the act with a composed chip over the goalkeeper after Wardle’s pass was cut out by Brown, feeding the Afghanistan international for his second goal of the season.

Three minutes later, Brown gained his third contribution of the match with a delicate through ball in behind for Ashley Hemmings who rounded Hewelt to slide home with his left foot, giving Kidderminster a three-goal cushion and putting the game firmly beyond Radcliffe’s reach after a disastrous five minutes.

The introductions of Jamie Morgan, Anthony Dudley, Jake Thompson, Luca Navarro and Kyle Campbell attempted to roll the dice as the half ticked on, but Kidderminster remained firm at the back to maintain their clean sheet, despite a duo of good attempts in added time.

Substitute Navarro was first to be denied in this passage of play by dribbling into the box and opening up a pocket of space for a chance, he couldn’t find the back of the net with a low effort which was easily stopped down the barrel by Christian Dibble.

Dudley fashioned Radcliffe’s final chance of clawing something back from the game but a curled attempt by the 27-year-old wasn’t enough to get a consolation, as Dibble got across to his left-hand side to palm away with a diving save, ending the game with his side’s clean sheet intact.

We’ll now turn our attention to midweek action as Radcliffe visit Chester on Tuesday night, with both teams aiming for their first win of the season. Support the Boro on the road and get beyond Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s men in numbers!