Saturday, August 9, 2003

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers had striker Bo Henriksen and goalkeeper Stuart Brock to thank for their 2-1 victory over Mansfield Town in Saturday's Nationwide League Division Three clash at sweltering Aggborough.

Hot-shot Henriksen scored twice while Brock kept his cool to thwart the Stags with a number of excellent saves.

Boss Ian Britton admitted Harriers are capable of playing better than they did against Keith Curle's Mansfield side who were bitterly disappointed at not taking at least a point from the game.

He said: "We know we can play better. We have done it in pre-season. But for the opening game of the season, on a very hot day and against a decent side, I'll settle for three points.

"If I was Keith Curle I think I'd be disappointed I didn't get something out of the game. But at the end of the day it's swings and roundabouts over a season.

"We'll go to places where we will probably do exactly the same and come away with nothing.

"To be honest, although I feel sorry for Curle I don't really care because it happens to us as well. That's the way it is, that's the way it goes.

"But the good thing is we were resilient. That makes a change. We might have caved in last year but this time we stuck at it and managed to get a the winner."

Kidderminster took the lead in the 15th minute when a long crossfield pass by Kenny Coleman found Henriksen who expertly lofted the ball past keeper Kevin Pilkington with an angled 18-yard volley.

It was Brock, however, who was Kidderminster's main hero with a series of breathtaking saves in the first half which foiled Colin Larkin, David Artell and Liam Lawrence.

His most spectacular stop was when he managed to push away a deflected shot from Iyseden Christie.

Mansfield were finally rewarded for their efforts in the 65th minute when they equalised with a perfectly struck curling free kick from 20 yards by Wayne Corden.

Their 910 fans, however, were stunned into silence when Henriksen, who had been a doubtful starter for the game because of hamstring trouble, scored Harriers winner from the penalty spot after Jamie Clarke had handled a shot from Coleman.

Kidderminster: Brock 9, Stamps 6, Williams 6, Hinton 6, Bennett 6, Flynn 6, Bishop 5 (Williams, 70, 5), Shilton 5, Henriksen 8 (Ward, 89), Willis 8, Coleman 7. Subs (not used): Parrish, Danby, Ayres. Attendance: 3,180.