Tuesday, September 18, 2001

BOSS Jan Molby apologised to Kidderminster Harriers' fans after admitting to being 'disgusted' by his side's performance in last night's 4-0 Nationwide League Division Three thrashing by Shrewsbury Town at Gay Meadow.

Luke Rodgers grabbed a hat-trick for the Shrews as Harriers slumped to their fourth successive away defeat.

They have now failed to win in their last five outings and again looked desperately short of fire-power in front of goal.

Bitterly disappointed Molby said: "I was disgusted by our performance and by our mental strength.

"I'd like to be able to say we are better than that. I think we are on certain days, but whether we are going to be over the season I'm starting to doubt.

"We have only played eight games, but relegation has to be in the back your mind. Whatever way you look at it, it's going to be a long season.

"There are no excuses. We have to take it on the chin. I'm am not going to apologise for the players. They can do that themselves if they are man enough. I can only apologise to the fans, but I'm as much to blame as anyone else.

"It's my job as a manager to come out and talk about the performance afterwards. But when players perform like some of them have then it's very, very difficult to be a manager.

"But it's part of the job to face it all. I've been in football long enough to accept that's the way it is."

Kidderminster's misery began after only five minutes when Steve Jagielka was given the chance to fire home from 12 yards.

Harriers managed to block another couple of goalbound shots before Rodgers powered his way through the visitors' flimsy defence to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half time

Four minutes into the second half Rodgers was allowed to score with a header from the edge of the penalty area which went into the net off the underside of the bar.

He completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute to leave shell-shocked Harriers to reflect on one of their worst displays since being promoted to the Football League.

"We had players who have probably not played as badly as they have since they have been with us. Some have been here for a short time and others longer, but some of the performances were horrendous," said Molby.

Kidderminster: Brock 5, Clarkson 5, Smith 4, Stamps 4, Joy 4, Ducros 5 (Shilton 55, 4), Williams 4 (Bird 55, 5), Davies 6, Blake 4, Foster 4 (Hadley 77), Broughton 4. Subs (not used): Murphy, Sall.

Attendance: 3,530.