Harriers secured a 1-0 home victory over Eastleigh on Saturday, with Levi Amantchi netting a late goal in the 78th minute after coming on four minutes earlier. The win gave Harriers their first point of the season and marked a positive response to a 0-1 defeat at Hornchurch the previous week.
Manager Paul Wotton lauded his team’s commitment and character, saying the reaction to last week’s loss was “fantastic from the first second.” He highlighted the high work-rate, endeavour and industry displayed by the squad, noting that the players had been “bang at it” and started “really, really well.”
Wotton made five changes to the starting line-up after the Hornchurch loss, a decision he said produced the energetic and committed display he had demanded. He described the training sessions from Monday to Friday as the best week he had experienced since arriving at Aggborough, with intensity kept very high.
During the match, Harriers dominated the first half. Callum Dolan lifted over in the opening minutes, while Reece Hall’s two attempts were deflected behind. Reece Devine fired over after the restart, Angus MacDonald headed wide from a Seb Thompson cross, and substitute Ethan Moore struck the post from close range.
The breakthrough came when Callum Stewart created a cut-back that allowed Amantchi to finish from close range. Wotton praised Stewart’s composure and quality, noting that the team had “shown endeavour and fight to win the ball back.” He added that the substitutes had made a positive impact and that the team’s fitness levels were good.
Wotton also commended the attitude of the squad members who were not selected to start, stressing the importance of squad depth. He said there was no sulking or moaning when he named the team and that football “isn’t about 11 starters anymore.”
The match ended 1-0 in Harriers’ favour, with the goal coming from a close-range finish by Amantchi in the 78th minute. Harriers will host Aldershot Town next week at 12:30pm.
