Kidderminster’s goal hero Alex Penny admitted the pain was like ‘a knife in the heart’ as Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen rescued West Ham with seconds to spare in the FA Cup.
Rice equalised Penny’s first-half opener in the 91st minute to force extra-time at Aggborough and Bowen struck in the 121st minute to send the Premier League team through against their hosts from the National League North.
‘It was like a knife into our hearts,’ said Penny. ‘But that’s what they do. They grind out these goals. It’s cruel but we’ve got to take as many positives as we can.
It had been a dream start for Harriers when Alex Penny (right) fired them into an early 1-0 lead
‘We took a Premier League team all the way. We had a game plan, set up the way did and we were achieving that until the 90th minute. It shows any team can perform if they have team spirit, commitment and their fans behind them.’
As for his goal, Penny said: ‘We worked on our set pieces. I made my run and it fell to me. I was in the right place at the right time and got a good contact on the ball, and finished it well.
‘I can take that away with me. I’ll always be proud of that moment. I thought I was going to be the match winner. It’s just unfortunate we conceded those two late goals.’
Penny’s opening strike after 20 minutes blew the roof off a packed-out Aggborough Stadium
Harriers boss Russell Penn dared to believe that after beating Reading of the Championship in the third round his team could be the first ever from the sixth tier to beat top-tier opposition in the FA Cup.
‘With two minutes to go I was believing it,’ said Penn. ‘Then a minute later… They got desperate and we looked a bit tired and leggy. They were piling the pressure on, I thought they’d have another chance but to see them score from that chance was heart-breaking. I think I would’ve felt better if we’d lost three or four nil.
‘I thought we’d get blown away in extra time but we didn’t. I asked the fourth official how long and he said ’30 seconds’. It’s disappointing to come so close. I’m gutted for the lads but it’s been fantastic.
David Moyes’ side were saved late on when Declan Rice fired in an equaliser
Jarrod Bowen had a tap in in the final few seconds to send West Ham through in the FA Cup
It was a devastating conclusion to the dramatic Cup tie for sixth tier Kidderminster Harriers
‘To be managing across from David Moyes is a huge honour. He said some lovely words, he said, ‘well done’ and ‘we didn’t deserve it’. We should take great heart from this now and hopefully this is a catalyst to push on.’
West Ham’s players congratulated their opponents at the end. ‘Massive respect to them, they were excellent,’ said Rice, whose introduction at half time turned the game. ‘We got two late goals but they probably would have deserved that if I’m being honest.
‘They fought for every ball. Pressing and running hard. We weren’t at it in the first-half. The fans are on top of you and they’re going to be up for it. We don’t come to places like this very often and sometimes it’s just a shock to the system.
‘Lucky we got one late in the second and then nicked it at the end. I’m delighted we’re through. We need to improve if we want to push on.’