New man inspires comeback (From Worcester News)

New man inspires comeback

11:28am Thursday 28th January 2010 in

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Crawley 2
Harriers 2

NEW manager Steve Burr delivered on his promise to bring some excitement into Harriers’ fans life as he inspired a second half fight back in West Sussex.

Burr walked into Aggborough two days before saying that he would stick to his own attacking ethos and the traditions of attractive football at Harriers.

His new charges certainly delivered that as they produced all the highs and lows.

Burr had a brief chance of working with his players in training on Friday but Saturday’s performance was a chance for him to assess what he had at his disposal and certainly it was an eye-opening lesson for the new boss.

Goalkeeper Dean Coleman certainly will be hoping for another chance to prove his worth after an a bout of stage fright which led to his worst display of the season, where he gifted Crawley the lead twice.

Burr said: “The way we started off was very good but the way we conceded the first goal knocked us for six.

“It gave them a lift as well, so it was pleasing to get ourselves back in the game.

“We changed things around at half-time and got ourselves going again and then another mistake happens.

“I was very pleased with with the way the lads battled away.”

Burr was given a rousing welcome by the 93 strong army of Harriers fans prepared to make the 300 mile round trip to Crawley.

There was little between the sides until Coleman missed a text-book back header from Gavin Caines, which allowed Swindon Town target Charles Ademeno to steal in and finish easily.

The shock of conceding threatened to derail Burr's dugout debut and for 15 minutes Crawley, led by livewire Ademeno, ran riot without creating a host of chances.

At the other end, Damian Spencer’s power was unsettling Crawley and he seemed on a personal mission to get Harriers back into the game.

He created the visitors’ best chance of the half when he stung keeper Simon Rayner’s palms with a firm effort, but Brian Smikle wasn’t able to pounce on the loose ball.

Burr’s first test in the Harriers hot-seat was to inject them with some belief and he pushed Finnigan forward in an effort to peg back Crawley.

The move worked almost immediately, as Harriers’ assistant manager received the ball off Duane Courtney and hammered a low rocket past Rayner in the 50th minute.

Harriers looked in charge and Spencer’s long wait for a first goal for the club almost came to an end when he purposefully drove into the box and deftly controlled a long ball, only to squeeze his effort across the box.

Coleman went someway to redeeming himself when he athletically stretched to tip away Thomas Pinaut’s long-range effort.

However, redemption was fleeting after another error.

This time he dived to block Ademeno’s shot, only to spill it into the path of Barry Cogan, who bundled the ball into the back of the net.

Once again, Harriers were pushed to the brink, but after surviving three successive corners found the strength for one last surge.

McPhee, who had epitomised Harriers with a spirited and improving display, drove across the edge of the box and lashed a shot past Rayner in the 86th minute, a goal which Harriers deserved for their never-say-die attitude.

Harriers: Coleman 4; Courtney 6; Riley 7; Caines 7; Baker 6; Finnigan 7; McPhee 7; Smikle 6; Knights 6 (Hayward, 83); Matthews 6 (Hadley, 73); Spencer 8. Unused substitutes: Singh; Dolman; Sharpe.

Crawley: Rayner; Rusk; Rents; Hutchinson; Ademeno (Forrest, 86); Pinault; Malcolm; Wilson; Cogan; Quinn; Smith. Unused substitutes: Giles; Killeen; Jordan; Willock. Referee: Brendan Malone (Wiltshire). Attendance: 800 (93)