Monday, December 27, 1999

PAUL Fewings was a hero turned villain for Hereford United in their 1-1 Nationwide Conference draw against high-flying rivals Kidderminster Harriers at Edgar Street on Monday.

The United striker put his side ahead in the sixth minute and then missed a penalty after Harriers had equalised with a 69th minute goal from Stewart Hadley.

Afterwards Fewings apologised to Hereford fans for his 83rd minute spot kick which was saved by keeper Tim Clarke to make amends for his blunder which led to the Bulls taking the lead.

"All I can say is sorry. I felt I had the confidence to step up and take it," Fewings said.

"Usually in training I put them away, but I thought the keeper was maybe a bit lucky getting it off his studs. With only a few minutes left if I'd have put it away we'd have won, so I'm gutted for the lads and everyone else.

"A draw is not a bad result, but I wish we'd have won. I don't think we played too badly, but when you are on top of the game for most of it you want to come away with three points. To come away with one we feel a little bit robbed."

Fewings now hopes to make up for his penalty failure when Hereford travel to meet Kidderminster next Monday (1pm).

"I'll be trying to make amends at Aggborough. The players are up for it. I think we played some decent football against them which we hope to carry over to Kidderminster."

Hereford's Director of Football said: "On the balance of play we had more chances, but the game is never safe until you get that second goal. We didn't play anywhere near as well defensively as we did in our cup game at Leicester and at times we were sloppy on the ball."

Kidderminster's victory hoisted them into third spot in the table, three points behind new leaders Rushden & Diamonds.

Watched by their biggest league crowd of the season - 4,437 including 1,144 away fans - Hereford got off to a flying start when Mark Taylor and Gavin Williams combined to enable John Snape to send over a cross which was dropped by Clarke to allow Fewings to notch his 12th goal of the season.

In the 20th minute United had Tony James stretchered off with a twisted ankle. He was replaced by James Wall.

Within a minute of substitution Fewings missed an excellent chance to make it 2-0 when he lost control at the crucial moment to allow Clarke to save.

After the interval Kidderminster slowly began to make more of an impression and in the 69th minute they equalised through Hadley after a shot from former Hereford campaigner Ian Foster had rebounded off the post.

After a goalbound header from Rob Elms had been cleared by Ian Clarkson, the Bulls wasted their chance of going back in front when Clarke dived the wrong way but still managed to save Fewings penalty with his outstretched foot. The kick had been awarded when Adie Smith was adjudged to have handled an Ian Rodgerson shot.

Kidderminster boss Jan Molby said: "I thought we did well. We weren't at our best, but I still thought that we dominated the game. It was a committed local derby. We had to battle back after the early setback and I thought we did well to do that. We kept at it and in the second half we played some good stuff on a difficult pitch."

Hereford: Jones 7, Lane 7, Sturgess 8, Snape 6, Wright 7, James 6 (Wall 20, 6), Parry 6 (Rodgerson 66, 6), Taylor 6, Elms 6, Williams 7, Fewings 7 (May 84). Subs (not used): Rudall, Clarke.

Kidderminster: Clarke 6, Clarkson 7, Stamps 7, Webb 6, Hinton 7, Smith 7, Bennett 6, Skovbjerg 6, Hadley 6, Foster 6 (Druce 78), Petersen 6. Subs (not used): Hines, Brock, King, Taylor.

Hereford Star Man: Paul Sturgess.

Kidderminster Star Man: Dean Bennett

Attendance: 4,437.