Saturday, January 8, 2000

AN Ian Foster hat-trick helped power Kidderminster Harriers to the top of the Nationwide Conference table with a priceless 3-2 victory over title rivals Nuneaton Borough at Manor Park on Saturday.

Cock-a-hoop Harriers, who began the season by losing their opening three matches, took over the leadership on goal difference from Rushden and Diamonds who have a match in hand over manager Jan Molby's promotion seekers.

Kidderminster are now unbeaten in their last eight league outings and gained a sweet revenge for the 2-1 home defeat rhey suffered against Nuneaton back in September.

After taking his goals tally for the season to nine, former Hereford United campaigner Foster said: 'It was a great result for us.

"We'd have settled for a point before the match, but we've got all three and gone top of the league. We're absolutely delighted.

"It was a good performance on a very difficult pitch, but it was muddy and big for both teams and you just have to dig in and get a result.

"The gaffer put me up front and it worked out for us."

Harriers leading scorer Foster struck in the sixth, 41st and 51st minutes, but it was midfielder Dean Bennett who again turned in another impressive performance.

His untiring efforts were backed up by fine displays from his team-mates who regularly put Nuneaton under pressure with neat, free flowing football.

"All the lads want to dig in and get this club in the Football League where it belongs," said Foster.

"We had a horrible start to the season because their were a lot of new faces and it's hard to get the team working together. We have managed to do that half way through the season and if we can carry on for another half who knows what might happen.

"But we can't afford to be complacent. We got complacent at 3-1 up and nearly threw the game away so we have to treat everyone with the utmost respect and hopefully we can get six points from our next two games which are both at home."

Foster was credited with the first goal after Nuneaton's former Hereford goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie made a mess of a free kick.

But Nuneaton were back on terms after 25 minutes when goalkeeper Tim Clarke would only half stop a low cross shot from Andy Ducros and Andy Thackeray was on had to ram the ball into the net.

Harriers regained the lead when Bennett robbed Wayne McDermott and made healthy progress towards goals before squaring the ball for grateful Foster to score from six yards.

Foster then made it 3-1 with another close range effort before Nuneaton gave themselves hope when Ducros crossed for McDermott to score with a free header.

The goal set the scene for a tense finish for Kidderminster who were denied the chance of notching further goals when MacKenzie saved well from both Bennett and Stamps.

By the end, however, Kidderminster were good value for their victory which was greeted at the final whistle by Molby dashing onto the pitch punching the air with delight.