11:30am Thursday 28th January 2010
Harriers 4
Grays Athletic 1
IT was an evening of firsts as Harriers trounced relegation battling Grays to record their biggest win of the season in the Blue Square Premier on Tuesday night.
New boss Steve Burr savoured a memorable home debut as he watched his troops tear apart a ragged visiting side with some slick football.
Victory was also their first double of the season and the only time they have scored four goals this campaign.
Added to that, keeper Jasbir Singh made his Conference debut and powerhouse hitman Damian Spencer finally opened his account for Harriers, so it was a special night all round for the club.
A delighted manager said: ”I couldn’t have asked for more, I was looking forward to the game and to get the win in the manner that we did was very pleasing.
“I like to see goals and I thought we were a bit unfortunate with the penalty.
“I told the players at half-time it was important to score the next goal and kill the game off and we did that.
“We changed one or two positions that were forced on us but I’m still getting to know the players. It’s still early days with everybody.
“I want to get across the players how I want to play and it’s a bit of a transitional period.”
Burr stamped his authority on the side for his home debut and made several eye-catching changes.
After his horrorshow on Saturday, keeper Dean Coleman was relegated to the bench and Singh was given the nod.
Even more surprisingly, Darryl Knights had to kick his heels as an unused substitute, as Burr opted for a 4-4-2 formation instead of the narrow 4-3-1-2 commonly used by Harriers this campaign.
The changes had a striking effect as Harriers grew in confidence, particularly man of the match Brian Smikle, who had a hand in all of the goals.
Their opponents looked up for the fight but with eight new players signed this month by Julian Dicks, they played like a group of enthusiastic strangers and the hosts took full advantage.
Smikle pounced on a poor headed clearance by Billy Crowther in the 26th minute and fired a low left-footed effort beyond keeper Richard Martin to bag his first goal since November 24.
Spencer doubled their lead on the half-hour mark with a moment of quality which dispelled rumours that he can't finish.
The big hitman held off the challenge of Gavin Hoyte 10-yards out from goal, spun neatly and slotted a rasping effort into the back of the net.
Jamie Guy pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the 35th minute after Martin Riley was harshly judged to have handled the ball in the box, but that strike only delayed the inevitable.
Assistant manager John Finnigan exchanged passes with the influential Smikle to finish off a fine move five minutes into the second half.
Captain Chris McPhee then secured victory from the penalty spot, after livewire Smikle was scythed down by Hoyte’s rash scything challenge as he zipped into the box.
Former Shrewsbury man Singh was not tested but dealt competently with everything Grays could throw at him.
The only time he was beaten came in the 67th minute, when Grays skipper Harlee Dean’s lofted effort came off the post.
But that goal would have been harsh on Harriers, who produced a performance which will no doubt encourage more fans to come to Aggborough, after the lowest league crowd of the season witnessed this rout.
Harriers: Singh 7; Courtney 6; Baker 6; Finnigan 8; Caines 6; Riley 6 (Sharpe, 82); McPhee 7; SMIKLE 9; Farrell 7 (Hadley, 71); Hayward 6 (Bennett, 71); Spencer 7. Unused substitutes: Coleman; Knights.
Grays: Martin; Hunt; Zola; Crowther; Hoyte; Baker; Dean; Vernazza (Osborn, 73); Rhodes (Agombar, 30); Wilson; Guy. Unused substitutes: Mawer, Bunce, Davis.
Referee: Russell Fletcher (Derbyshire). Attendance: 1,109 (7)
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