DARLINGTON 0, HARRIERS 2

THERE have been numerous Kidderminster Harriers moments in Division Three when you wonder what could have been.

And it seemed that way at half-time during Darlington's first game at the impressive new 25,000-seat Reynolds Arena on Saturday.

The visitors clearly looked the better side but did not look like ripping apart disappointing opposition when Harriers fans knew they were capable.

It was a frustrating opening period and you feared the chance may have gone to rain on Darlington's parade.

But this need not have been a worry as lethal long-range finishing in the second half ensured the home side were punished.

Harriers' improving defence also kept opportunities to a minimum for Darlington who appeared to be the ones stage struck by the occasion.

Ian Britton's men have won their first two Division Three games and gave higher-ranked Ipswich a stern Carling Cup test over two hours last week.

With the Kidderminster manager predicting more to come from his troops, it is only right to be optimistic for times ahead at Aggborough.

Darlington were a long way off the quality of first-day opponents Mansfield but they say you can only beat what is put in front of you.

That is just what Harriers did as Danny Williams' vicious 20-yard free-kick rocketed into the roof of keeper Andy Collett's net on 54 minutes.

Six minutes later, half-time substitute Andy Bishop, who had been fouled before the first goal, unleashed a terrific drive from a longer distance.

The ball found its target via the crossbar for a crucial second goal which emphasised the impact of Bishop's introduction.

His pace and movement scared the Darlington defence who were already wary of Bo Henriksen's intelligent running and link-up play.

After a 15-minute kick-off delay to let the fans in, Henriksen quickly evaded the defence to fire into the side netting after great right-wing work from Dean Bennett.

Then the Dane collected the ball on the edge of the box and forced Collett into a good save down to his right on 17 minutes.

Williams, easily the best player on the pitch in the first half, then provided Henriksen with a great pass which he fired too high across the goal.

Darlington, apart from the odd long-range effort, only really threatened when Ryan Valentine's cross caught out the defence but the angle was too tight for target man Barry Conlon.

A disappointing aspect for Harriers was their inability to take advantage of six corners but they did generally look comfortable defensively.

By the time Williams opened the scoring, there had already been plenty of action in the second half.

Sub Bishop was quick to test Collett and then Sam Shilton ran at the defence before forcing the keeper into a useful parry from his low 20-yarder.

Shilton was invaluable at the other end soon after as he nodded Conlon's header from an Ashley Nicholls corner off the line.

When Williams struck, Darlington tried to hit back but Valentine's weak shot from distance was easily dealt with by in-form Stuart Brock.

And Bishop's goal sealed the win though the home side could have grabbed a consolation in front of their shell-shocked supporters.

Scott Stamps lost out to young Chris Hughes and he provided fellow replacement Mark Sheeran with a one-on-one.

But maybe Sheeran had seen a video of Brock's amazing display at Ipswich as the forward fired straight at the Harriers keeper.

So Kidderminster kept a clean sheet and showed similar resolve to some of last season's more impressive away displays.

HARRIERS: Brock 7; Coleman 7, Willis 7, Hinton 7, Stamps 7; Bennett 6 (Ward 80), D WILLIAMS 8, Flynn 6, Shilton 7; J Williams 6 (Bishop 46, 7), Henriksen 7 (Smith 80). Subs not used: Parrish, Danby.

DARLINGTON: Collett; Valentine, Liddle, McGurk, Clark; Keltie, Bossy, Maddison (Hughes 76), Nicholls (Sheeran 76); Robson (Wainwright 46), Conlon. Subs not used: Price, Artun. ATTENDANCE: 11,600.

SHOTS ON: Darlington 5, Harriers 6.

SHOTS OFF: Darlington 4, Harriers 8.

CORNERS: Darlington 3, Harriers 10.

GOALS: D Williams 54, Bishop 60.

YELLOW CARDS: Darlington 2 (Robson, Nicholls), Harriers 1 (Stamps).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Danny Williams. Powerhouse performance from the midfielder with a superb free-kick opening the scoring. Impressed with his distribution.