Monday, March 20, 2000

A SECOND half goal from Phil King earned Kidderminster Harriers a 1-0 victory over battling Bromsgrove Rovers in last night's Worcestershire Senior Cup semi-final at Aggborough.

He pounced in the 62nd min-ute when he volleyed home from close range following a deep cross from Scott Stamps.

Holders Kidderminster now face a two-leg final against Solihull Borough or Worcester City who meet at Redditch tomorrow night.

Harriers, however, had to work hard for their narrow victory against a determined Brom-sgrove side who may well have earned a replay had it not been for two fine saves by keeper Stuart Brock.

Firstly, he tipped over a splendid 40 yard effort from Andy Biddle in the 68th minute and then three minutes later produced similar heroics to deny Mark Bowater.

Throughout the match, however, Bromsgrove were pushed on the defensive as Kidderminster tried hard to make their possession count.

A couple of early long-range efforts from Mike Marsh and Les Hines missed their target before Rovers finally got in their first on-target shot in the 30th minute through Peter Sutton. It was safely dealt with by Brock before his opposite number Nore Gabbidon pulled off a brilliant save just before half time when he pushed away a well struck free kick by King.

In the early stages of the second period Kidderminster peppered in shots which were either blocked or well stopped by Gabbidon. Three efforts were within the space of two minutes by Andy Brownrigg while Gabbidon also did well to save from Mike Marsh.

It was King, however, who made the vital breakthrough with his second goal in two matches, the other being the winner in Harriers 2-1 Nationwide Conference victory at Welling United on Saturday.

Cash-strapped Bromsgrove, however, never gave up and only Brock's fine saves from Biddle and Bowater stopped them from securing a money-earning replay.

Kidderminster: Brock 7, Webb 6, Hines 6 (Barnett 90), Hinton 7, King 7, Cunnington 6, Marsh 8, Pope 6, Stamps 7 (Foster, 78), Taylor 6, Brownrigg 7 (Bennett 70, 6). Subs (not used): Clarke, Davies.

Bromsgrove: Gabbidon 8, Townsend 7, Ulfig 6, Ashley 6 (Brown 46, 6), Bowater 7, Jinks 6, Davies 6, Benbow 6 (Colwell 66, 6), Sutton 7, Daley 6, Biddle 6 (Humphreys, 90). Subs (not used): Turpin, Parkes.

Harriers star player: Mike Marsh.

Rovers star player: Nore Gabbidon.

Attendance: 878.

Referee: S. Dorr (Worcester).