Tuesday, January 21, 2003

STUNNED Kidderminster Harriers crashed out of the Worcestershire Senior Cup last night.

The Nationwide League Division side slumped to a humiliating 2-1 quarter-final defeat against Dr Martens League Western Division table-toppers Bromsgrove Rovers at Aggborough.

Goals by Grant Beckett and Ashley Read, together with a tremendous performance by former Worcester City goalkeeper Matt Lowe, gave giant-killing Rovers a night to remember against their old rivals.

For holders Harriers it was an embarrassing result particularly as they paraded a strong side which included defender Alex Mortimer who is on trial Leicester City.

They trailed 1-0 to Beckett's 19th minute goal, but fought back to equalise on 71 minutes through defender Lee Ayres before being humbled when Read notched the winner eight minutes later.

Bromsgrove's shock victory was based around Lowe's man-of-the-match display which saw him pull off a string of fine saves, including one extra special effort in the second half which denied Sean Flynn from scoring with a fierce 35 yard drive.

Leading marksman Bo Henriksen had a hatful of shots for Harriers but they went either wide, were saved by hero Lowe or stopped on the line.

Aggborough boss Ian Britton's men now have to pick themselves up off the floor for Saturday when they resume their faltering league campaign with a home clash against high-riding Bury.

Bubbling Bromsgrove took the lead when Beckett scored from the penalty spot after Matthew Southwick was fouled by Adie Smith.

Sean Parrish, Henriksen and Ian Foster all did their best to grab an equaliser before half time, but their efforts were thwarted by battling Rovers who began to take a pounding after the interval.

Henriksen again failed to beat Lowe on three separate occasions while hard working Andy Bishop had a shot hit the outside of a post.

Lowe's excellent save to foil Flynn came just a minute before Harriers drew level with a solid header from Ayres following a corner by Foster.

Bromsgrove, however, completed their giant-killing act when a break down in communication between Ayres and goalkeeper Stuart Brock enabled Read to score with a coolly executed lob shot.

Kidderminster; Brock 5, Coleman 5 (Hinton, 46, 6), Mortimer 5, Williams 6, Ayres 5, Smith 6, Bishop 7, Flynn 6, Henriksen 6, Foster 5, Parrish 5. Subs (not used): Danby, Ducros, Hodge, Lewis.

Bromsgrove: Lowe 9, Benbow 7 Banner 7, Brookes 7, Brighton 7, Southwick 7, Beckett 7, Cartwright 6 (Danks, 45, 6), Palmer 7 (Burgess, 72), Read 8, Frost 8. Subs (not used): Thomas, Hackett, Pope. Attendance: 582.