Frustration for tame Harriers (From Worcester News)

Frustration for tame Harriers

5:07pm Monday 7th December 2009 in

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Harriers 0
Tamworth 0

TALISMANIC skipper Chris McPhee has vowed not to let his missed penalty against the Lambs put him off spot-kicks after Harriers slipped to a tame mid-week draw.

McPhee saw a golden opportunity to fire Harriers into the lead on a soggy Tuesday night wasted when Tamworth keeper Danny Alcock saved his penalty in the first half.

The chance was a rare moment of drama in a low-key Midlands derby in the Blue Square Premier as both sides worked hard but lacked cutting edge up front.

The penalty miss also summed up the Harriers captain’s night, as he produced an uncharacteristic out of sorts display, in contrast to his often inspiring performances for the Aggborough outfit this season.

McPhee, who saw a penalty saved at Wembley before bagging the winner for Ebbsfleet in 2008’s FA Trophy final, also promised to find his best form again.

“I struck the penalty well enough,” commented the skipper.

“I do the same thing every time, I decide what I’m going to do when I put the ball down, but the keeper did well to get down to it.

“On another day, he dives another way and it’s just a lottery but I won’t let that affect me.

“I missed one before and that was at Wembley and five minutes later I scored, so I won’t let this affect me personally.

“I’m disappointed that I didn’t score and that we didn’t go on to win but I’ll shrug it off and put it right.”

McPhee’s poor display was symptomatic of the malaise at Harriers in general, as they huffed and puffed against a Tamworth squad containing five ex-players.

The Staffordshire outfit dictated the game early on, with old boy Simon Russell looking bright and teeing up another ex-Harrier Neil MacKenzie, who flashed a low shot from outside the box wide.

Simon Brown, another player who had wore the red and white of the hosts, caused the home side all sorts of problems and if he had more composure he could have added to the their woes, firing wide from close range in the first half and then late in the game.

Jake Sheridan and Luke Wright also shot over the bar to highlight the industrious visitor’s lack of quality up front.

In contrast, the best chance of the game fell to Harriers against the run of play in the 34th minute, when striker Ryan Charles, making his first start since joining Harriers from Luton last week, was barged over in the box easily by Tamworth captain Chris Smith.

McPhee was thwarted when Alcock dived to his left and stretched out a hand to block his spot-kick.

In truth, a goal would have been harsh on Tamworth as the hosts struggled to create clear cut chances.

Damian Spencer headed over from close range just before half-time, while after the break substitute Darryl Knights’ 25-yard dipping effort was tipped over by Alcock.

But those moments of attacking zest were rare and the game slipped into a low standard affair, as Harriers ended with just one point from the last two home games.

Harriers manager Mark Yates took the first home 0-0 of the season on the chin.

He said: “It was hard work out there in tough conditions and it was quite an open game but we didn't create enough and when we did, we didn't finish it off.

“Chris is trying so hard that nothing’s going for him and he should have smashed his penalty down the middle, instead he tried to place it.

“If we had scored we’d have gone on to win the game. I think a point’s a fair result, both sides had a go but nobody could put the ball in the back of the net.”

Harriers: Coleman 6; Courtney 7; Riley 7; Caines 6; Andrew 6; Finnigan 6 (Hayward, 73); McPhee 5; McDermott 5 (Knights, 61); Smikle 5; Charles 6 (Farrell, 90); Spencer 6. Unused: substitutes: Baker; Singh.

Tamworth: Alcock; Tait; Smith; Wylde; MacKenzie (Briscoe, 93); Wright (Christie, 71); Pritchard; Sheridan; Langdon; Russell; Brown. Unused substitutes: Shaw; Lake-Gaskin; Ulker.

Referee: Jake Collin (Merseyside). Attendance: 1,166 (106)