Saturday, September 17, 2005

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are still looking for their first Nationwide Conference win over Forest Green Rovers following Saturday's horror show at Aggborough.

Stuart Watkiss' side, who would have moved among the league leaders with victory, were guilty of a catalogue of errors against their bogey side.

Tomorrow night's home clash with Halifax now can't come quickly enough for the Harriers boss as his side attempt to rid this result from their memory.

"There's no point feeling sorry for ourselves, we were beaten by a better side," said Watkiss. "That said, as badly as we played we still had more chances than they did."

Watkiss, who brought on Simon Heslop and Michael Blackwood for Laurie Wilson and Gareth Sheldon at the break, added: "There were seven or eight candidates that I could have taken off at half-time once we had decided the direction we wanted to go."

Kidderminster goalkeeper John Danby had little chance with Forest Green's opener. Paul Wanless fired a 25-yard free-kick straight into the Harriers wall and the ball took a wicked deflection past Danby into the net.

However, Danby virtually gifted the visitors a second when he flapped at an Alex Meechan cross, providing striker Zema Abbey with a simple tap-in.

Harriers, who had seen Wayne Hatswell hit the woodwork twice against his former club, gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Iyseden Christie cut the deficit on 72 minutes.

Half-time substitute Heslop picked out the Harriers striker with a well-placed pass and Christie weaved past two defenders and goalkeeper Ryan Clarke to slot home.

Seconds later, though, the hosts conceded a third when defender Daryl Burgess gifted Abbey his second goal of the match.

While attempting to clear the ball, Burgess played it to Abbey's feet and he scored with ease.

Harriers were without influential assistant manager Martin O'Connor and his absence in midfield left the hosts looking vulnerable.

O'Connor sustained a knee injury during a training session last Friday and remains a doubt ahead of Halifax's visit.

HARRIERS: Danby, Jackson, Evans, Burgess, Hatswell, Fleming, Christie, Atieno, Graves, Sheldon (Blackwood 46), Wilson (Heslop 46). Subs not used: Burton, Thompson, Russell.

ATTENDANCE: 1,818.