Saturday, November 27, 1999

MANAGER Jan Molby was bitterly disappointed with Kidderminster Harriers' defensive performance when they crashed out of the FA Umbro Trophy by slumping to a 4-2 second round defeat against Telford United at Aggborough on Saturday.

"It was a defensive collapse," he said after his side were beaten by two goals each from Gez Murphy and Jake Edwards.

Molby added: "We defended poorly and it's disappointing. I think Telford wanted a little bit more than we did.

"It was never ideal to be drawn against a fellow Nationwide Conference side and Telford did well. They set their stall out in the first half and got 10 men behind the ball and tried to frustrate us. I was just disappointed we didn't show a little bit more quality."

Kidderminster, beaten 3-2 in the Conference at Telford earlier this month, made a promising start by going ahead in the 11th minute when Steve Pope finished off a build-up by newcomer Mike Marsh and Paul Webb.

Telford were in confident mood and gave the Aggborough rearguard several anxious moments, particularly in the 20th minute when former Harriers defender Jon Ford's header hit the post.

Thomas Skovbjerg missed out on a chance to put Kidderminster ahead just before half time to leave the spirited visitors still very much in the hunt.

Telford drafted on striker Edwards in place of midfielder Gary Fitzpatrick for the second period, a switch which quickly began to reap rich rewards.

After only four minutes of the second half Edwards set up the chance for Murphy to equalise.

Eight minutes later Murphy made it 2-1 when he scored with an unstoppable shot. He damaged an ankle in the process, however, and was stretchered off before being taken to hospital.

Former Trophy winners Kidderminster hit back to equalise in the 67th minute when recent signing Ian Clarkson netted with a speculative cross-shot.

Telford however battled back into the lead in the 75th minute when Edwards appeared to handle the ball before scoring with a shot on the turn.

They sealed victory five minutes from time with a headed goal from Edwards.

Kidderminster skipper Webb said afterwards: "Telford played one up-front first half, but they fetched a midfielder off and put another one up-front and it worked well for them. But we should be bigger enough and stronger enough to be able to cope with that.

"It's disappointing, but we can still go on from here. Obviously the league is our priority and we can certainly go for that now."