Hard lessons learnt by ‘naive’ Harriers (From Worcester News)

Hard lessons learnt by ‘naive’ Harriers

4:49pm Wednesday 9th December 2009 in

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Stevenage 0
Harriers 2

HARRIERS manager Mark Yates will be eager to dip into the transfer market after a spirited but limited display in Hertfordshire on Saturday.

The Aggborough chief will be able to use some of the money made from Matthew Barnes-Homer’s move to Luton to strengthen his squad once the transfer window opens in January.

While it won’t be riches, Yates has built a reputation of looking for bargains and he’ll be scouring the leagues in search of some fresh blood after Harriers’ winless run in the Blue Square Premier was extended to four matches.

High on his priority may well be someone to add some much-needed creativity.

It wasn’t as if Harriers were embarrassed by their title-chasing rivals, far from it, they worked hard to match them, but in crucial moments at both ends they let themselves down and the opposition walk away with three points.

In fact, Yates branded his players ‘naive’ for letting in two goals at crucial times.

The first came in the 36th minute. Harriers had to defend a free-kick after Chris McPhee was harshly judged to have fouled Andy Drury.

Ronnie Henry swung the ball in and while Harriers tried to play for off-side, defender Jon Ashton rose unmolested to head the ball into the back of the net.

Worse was to come inside the first minute of the second half, when Harriers gave the ball away from the kick-off and Mitchell Cole fired home after getting it off Darren Murphy, despite former Harriers striker Chris Beardsley looking offside.

But the Harriers’ manager did not have time for excuses after the match.

Yates said: “We got beaten up, got bullied and out-worked.

“We didn’t get out-played but we didn’t do the horrible stuff.

“To concede two goals like we did was really poor.

“I thought the system we put out was the right one, but Stevenage changed it around and I just sensed that we needed to keep a clean sheet until half-time, but the manner of the goal and defending a couple of set-pieces was poor.

“Then we’ve got the kick-off, but we’re poorly set-up and we give the ball away and a minute later the ball's in the back of the net.

“Our lads were moaning that their striker has come back from an offside position to compete with Martin Riley, but that’s irrevelant, we should have dealt with it.

“The players felt that things didn’t go for them, but that won’t wash with me, we’ve got to make our own luck.

“We showed our naivety and didn’t see the first half out.”

Stevenage’s goals, particularly the first, came when Harriers had looked comfortable and in a bright opening 25 minute spell could have opened the scoring.

David McDermott saw a dipping 20-yard effort hit the bar early on, while on-loan Kettering forward Damian Spencer had their best chance in the 21st minute.

The big forward did well to meet McDermott’s free-kick with a deft glancing header, only for keeper Chris Day to dive to his left and claw it off the line.

Late in the game, Harriers searched for a lifeline, with substitute Aaron Farrell shooting across goal, but their mini-goal drought stretched to three games - coincidentally since the departure of Barnes-Homer.

Spencer led the line industriously for the away side but like the rest of his team-mates, lamented their lack of concentration in defence “We started well and had a few chances in the first 25 minutes,” commented the hitman.

“I was unfortunate to not to score and I know a few of the lads are disappointed with the overall team performance.”

Harriers: Coleman 6; Caines 7; Courtney 6 (Knights, 87); Riley 5; Andrew 6; McPhee 6; Bennett 6; Smikle 7; McDermott 6 (Charles, 60); Matthews 5 (Farrell, 70); Spencer 8. Unused substitutes: Baker; Hayward.

Stevenage: Day; Laird; Ashton; Albrighton; Murphy; Bridges (Byrom, 82); Griffin; Beardsley (Vincenti, 86); Cole (Odhiambo 76); Drury; Henry. Unused substitutes: Bayes; Boylan.

Referee: Brendan Malone (Wiltshire). Attendance: 1,809