Saturday, March 25, 2000

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers stormed seven points clear at the top of the Nationwide Conference table when they triumphed 2-0 over relegation-haunted Telford United at Aggborough on Saturday.

They sealed victory with goals from Stewart Hadley and Dean Bennett to stretch their unbeaten home league run to 14 matches, including 12 victories.

It also earned Kidderminster sweet revenge for their two defeats against Telford earlier this season when a 3-2 reversal at the Bucks Head in the Conference on November 6 was followed 21 days later by a 4-2 FA Umbro Trophy setback at Aggborough.

On Saturday, however, the Shropshire strugglers were unable to repeat the medicine against a Kidderminster side who were never at their best.

Afterwards manager Jan Molby said: "We never got started and the whole afternoon was dead. I expected Telford to come here and be aggressive and physical but they weren't."

Kidderminster now have a break until Saturday, April 8, when they face an all-ticket showdown at Aggborough against second-placed Rushden & Diamonds who have two matches in hand over Molby's promotion-chasers.

Rushden fell behind in the title chase when they were held 0-0 at home to Hereford United and will be bidding to get back on track when they entertain their arch- rivals Kettering Town tomorrow night.

Molby said: "The players and fans knew the Telford game was our last before we play Rushden and I think that overshadowed it a bit. But the result is all that matters and you can only get three points regardless of how you play.

"I was a bit nervous of the game because of the record we had against them this season. It was one of those potential banana skins but we got a bit of luck in front of goal."

Goalkeeper Stuart Brock, who was in Kidderminster's Conference line-up for the first time since September 18 because of an injury to Tim Clarke, said: "I didn't know I was playing until around 2.10pm. Tim was having a bit of treatment on his calf and they said they were waiting on a decision from him. He said 'no' so the gaffer just put me in.

"I enjoyed it. Whether I stay in the team is up to the gaffer, we'll just have to wait and see. Overall I was happy with my performance, but we have got to keep our feet on the ground and take each game as it comes and prepare for Rushden.

"Everybody is happy and we are on a winning streak. There is a buzz around the dressing room and around the whole ground. We are happy to be at the top but we have just got to keep level headed.

"Our overall performance could have been better. We didn't really push ourselves but I think we were comfortable. They never troubled us only from shots outside the box. They didn't really penetrate us."

Kidderminster broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when a cross from Scott Stamps was neatly flicked in from close range by Hadley for his tenth goal of the season.

Telford, parading three new signings, continued to battle but found the Aggborough rear-guard, which was well served by Adie Smith, a tough nut to crack.

Kidderminster settled the issue when a weak shot from Bennett was fumbled into the net by keeper Ryan Price in the 64th minute.

Brock did well to save a Brian McGorry shot with his knees before Harriers lost Smith in the 80th minute with a head injury.

The setback however failed to unsettle Molby's men who had not tasted Conference defeat at Aggborough since September 13 when they lost to Nuneaton Borough.