Wednesday, May 3, 2000

THE gulf between top and bottom of the Nationwide Conference was shown as champions Kidderminster Harriers cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory despite basement side Sutton United making them work hard, particularly in the first half.

But it was Harriers who took their chances while Sutton missed theirs and in the second half the speed of the visitors' counter- attacks consistently worried U's.

Moments

Sutton started in lively fashion but were soon behind when Ian Foster's good work on the right set up Gary Barnett to beat Gareth Howells after 10 minutes.

Sutton had their moments before half-time but Aidan Newhouse put their best chance wide and Sam Winston had a shot saved by keeper Stuart Brock.

Just after the half hour, Mike Marsh, showing the class to be expected of a former Liverpool and West Ham player, scored the second of the night with a cracking strike from the corner of the penalty area after a corner fell to him.

Early in the second half he was denied an even better goal when Howells tipped over his 20- yard chip and for all Sutton's efforts the second half drifted along with the visitors occasionally breaking at speed to threaten.

As Sutton's goalless spell stretched over the 450-minute mark, Nko Ekoku was denied by a good tackle and a Winston cross just evaded Scott Forrester and Ekoku before Dominic Barclay hit the side netting.

At the other end Steve Taylor hit a post and, with eight minutes left, Scott Stamps broke down the left to cross to the far post to allow Stewart Hadley the simplest of chances to roll the ball over the line past Howells.

Kidderminster: Brock 6, Clarkson 7, Stamps 7(sub Hines 6), Pope 7, Hinton 7, Smith 7 (sub Davies 6), Bennett 7, Hadley 7, Barnett 7, Foster 7 (sub Taylor 7), Marsh 8. Subs not used Cunnington, Clarke.

Star Man: Mike Marsh 8.

Referee: Mr M.Yarby (Ashford)

Attendance: 579.