Saturday, April 29, 2006

WITH more performances of this nature Kidderminster Harriers would not have endured such a dull, forgettable Conference campaign.

Accrington Stanley, with the title and promotion back to the Football League already in the bag, rested a host of key players and looked like they were going through the motions.

But take nothing away from Harriers who played neat football, took their chances and got stuck into the battle with the robust visitors.

They fully deserved this victory yet boss Mark Yates must still know he has a lot of summer work to do if he is to produce a consistent top-half-of-the-table side at Aggborough.

Only three players from Saturday, Jake Sedgemore, Russ Penn and Gavin Hurren, are contracted for next season.

But strikers Lee Thompson and Luke Reynolds put forward their claims for new deals with goals on 48 and 56 minutes respectively.

It is clear why Yates has already revealed his desire to secure Reynolds' future -- the forward is a big, strong, determined character who has scored four goals in eight games.

Thompson is the opposite in size and stature but gets through a lot of work and provides intelligent link-up play.

Harriers spent much of the first-half on the front foot but were restricted to shooting from distance, apart from several opportunities for Thompson.

Harriers lost the forward-thinking Simon Russell to injury on just 24 minutes only for Thompson to burst through the defence shortly afterwards.

But goalkeeper Daniel Alcock was given a relatively comfortable save by the diminutive front man.

Russell's replacement Michael McGrath started in edgy fashion but caught the eye in the second period with some mazy dribbling. The former youth teamer cut in from the right on 48 minutes and his low cross was tucked home neatly by Thompson at the near post for the opener.

Great persistence from Thompson eight minutes later resulted in a cut-back which Reynolds headed against the post but he made no mistake with the rebound.

Accrington burst into life as danger man Gary Roberts lobbed over and Andrew Mangan wasted two good chances.

Yates said: "I'm delighted for my lads but I hope they've seen what it's like to have won the championship. We want our chance to be near all of this next season."

HARRIERS: Lewis; Mullins, Burgess, Hurren; Sedgemore (Walker 90), Russell (McGrath 24, Byrne 90), Fleming, Penn, Sheldon; Reynolds, Thompson. Subs not used: Danby, Graves.

ATTENDANCE: 1,934.