Saturday, October 18, 2003

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers manager Ian Britton was sacked after watching his side produce one of their better performances.

The goalless draw against Nationwide League Division Three high riders Swansea, was too late to prevent Britton holding on to his job with former boss Jan Molby set for a return.

Similar battling displays in their previous matches this season may well have saved under-fire Britton from being given the boot.

But with only one win in their last 13 outings, the writing was on the wall for the Aggborough chief who leaves Harriers with the task of lifting themselves as far away as possible from the relegation area.

Although it was a precious point on Saturday it could easily have been three but for an excellent stoppage time save by Swans 'keeper Roger Freestone to deny striker John Williams, playing against one of his former clubs.

In the end, however, Harriers could feel satisfied with their afternoon's work with defender Wayne Hatswell, in particular, having good reason to be pleased.

The new signing from Chester made a big impression on his debut and said afterwards: "It was a great start for me.

"I hadn't played for five weeks and I thought we more than matched them.

"At the end their keeper made one of the best saves I've seen.

"I'm obviously chuffed personally and for the team as well, so it's a good start and we can build from there.

"I wouldn't say I'm the best footballer in the world on the deck, but putting my head in there and making tackles is what I'm paid to do.

"As long as teams don't score against us then I'm happy.

"It would have been nice if we had come away with three points but Swansea are third in the table and I thought we more than matched them. We've got to take heart from that."

With Adam Willis on the substitutes' bench, Sean Parrish was handed the captaincy and was delighted with the side's efforts.

He said: "Swansea are a good side and have good support behind them and we knew it was going to be tough. We had chances, but obviously we are happy with a point.

"Their keeper made a good save against John Williams near the end but we would have taken a point before the game.

"Sometimes you come away from home and you get the unexpected. It's nice to visit these bigger clubs and come away with a good performance and a good result."

With Harriers defending solidly high-flying Swansea found it hard to find a way through.

But they went perilously close to breaking the deadlock in the 79th minute when Kevin Nugent hit a shot against the inside of the post before Mark Wilson fired over the rebound.

The Swans, however, were heavily indebted to Freestone for his last-gasp save which kept his side's unbeaten home league record intact and left Harriers on the edge of the drop zone.