Tuesday, January 20, 2004

A SECOND half goal by Rob Betts earned Kidderminster Harriers a 1-0 victory over Stourport Swifts in last night's Worcestershire Senior Cup quarter-final at Aggborough.

Swifts held out until the 56th minute when Betts neatly knocked the ball past goalkeeper Lee Evans after a shot by Sam Shilton had been charged down by defender David Davies.

The alert Evans had pulled off a number of important saves to make it a hard-earned win for Kidderminster who paraded a mixture of first team regulars, fringe players and up-and-coming youngsters.

Hard-working Stourport also had their moments and Harriers goalkeeper John Danby needed to be on his guard on a handful of occasions to keep his side's scoresheet blank.

Kidderminster striker Scott Rickards was a regular threat to Swifts' determined defence, particularly in the first half when two of his efforts were well saved by Evans.

Evans also did well to deny Shilton during the first half when Stourport's best scoring efforts came from Richard Kavanagh and Rob Taylor.

Kavanagh also brought out a good save from Danby before Betts struck with what proved to be the winner.

Stourport, however, never gave up battling and should have grabbed an equaliser in the 58th minute but Taylor wasted a good chance by firing wide from 12 yards.

Evans then thwarted Shilton before Danby pulled off fine saves to stop Craig Webb and substitute John Hayward from putting their untiring Dr Martens League Western Division side on level terms.

Harriers, however, finished an entertaining game with Rickards having one shot fly wide and another well saved by Evans.

Kidderminster: Danby 7, Fitter 6, Stamps 7, D. Williams 6, McHale 6, Gadsby 6, Heath 6 (Stacey, 63, 5), Betts 7, Rickards 8, Parrish 6 (Bonar 77), Shilton 6. Subs (not used): Johnson, Dudley, Willmore.

Stourport: Evans 8, Webb 6, Ulfig 6, Powell 7, Davies 7, Harris 6, Kavanagh 7, Shirley 6, Giddings 5 (Wright 63, 5), Taylor 5 (Willetts 61, 5), Dunn 5 (Hayward 65, 5). Subs (not used): Clarke, Titterton.

Referee: D. Hine (Worcester).

Attendance: 383.

Kidderminster are considering running a second official supporters' coach to their match at Bury on Saturday.

They have already filled one coach. Anyone interested should call the club on 01562-823931.