Saturday, November 4, 2000

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers manager Jan Molby is urging his players to be more ruthless in front of goal after spurning a number of chances in Saturday's 1-1 Nationwide League Division Three draw against rivals Cheltenham Town at Aggborough.

Harriers' failure to turn a number of first half opportunities into goals enabled the grateful Robins to hit back for a share of the spoils.

Mid-table Kidderminster, without a win in their last five home matches, took the lead in the 14th minute when midfielder Adie Smith netted following a cross from Scott Stamps.

Striker John Durnin was guilty of missing three good first half chances which proved costly when Cheltenham stepped up a gear after the break. Indeed, they deservedly equalised after 68 minute through skipper Chris Banks who struck with an unchallenged header at the far post after a corner by Grant McCann.

Molby said afterwards: "I don't think it's a great surprise a local derby ending in a stalemate. The game was played at a great pace. We were on top in the first half and they were on top in the second.

"The pleasing thing is that when they were on top in the second half they didn't create any chances compared to those we created in the first-half.

"We have got to be more ruthless. They are the kind of chances we have got to take.

"I thought our opportunities were better than they have been in any game.

"We had four clear-cut chances and surely you must score, but their goal was disappointing because it was from another set piece. The boy peeled off and headed into an empty net."

Cheltenham, who had been beaten in their previous three matches, made a promising start and Mike Jackson had a long range shot cleared off the line by Ian Clarkson after only two minutes.

Smith, however, put Molby's men in front with his first Football League goal to end Harriers run of three home games without finding the net.

After that Durnin, whose last game before his month long contract ends will be at Hartlepool on Saturday, missed good chances in the 24th, 32nd and 34th minutes to enable the Robins to stay in the hunt.

On 26 minutes the visitors were unlucky when a Hugh McAuley effort flicked off the top of the bar and just before half time former Aggborough captain Mark Yates fired wide.

After the break Kidderminster were often on the back foot, although they nearly went back in front a minute after Banks' equaliser. Andy Ducros' shot, however, hit both post and bar before finally being cleared.

Afterwards Cheltenham's boss Steve Cotterill praised his coaches Graham Allner, the former long-serving Harriers chief, and Mike Davis for the way they had prepared the Robins for the clash.

"I'd like to thank them for their support in the last week because it does get a bit tough when you have lost three games."