Saturday, February 18, 2006

HARRIERS' 1-1 draw at Tamworth had a distinctly Notts County feeling about it.

That was because both sides' goalscorers are currently playing their trade in the Nationwide Conference on loan from Meadow Lane.

Matty Williams was on target for the Lambs, while Andy White opened his Harriers' account to secure a point for Mark Yates' men.

In a keenly-contested Midlands derby, the hosts were fastest out of the traps and took the lead through Williams' 12-yard drive after just four minutes.

The host very nearly went two goals ahead on 20 minutes when ex-Harrier Adie Smith got on the end of a free-kick from former-Manchester City winger Nicky Summerbee, who was making his Tamworth debut.

Fortunatelty for Kidderminster, Smith's header flashed wide of the upright.

Despite a couple of early scares, Kidderminster were the better side in the first-half and always looked more likely to score.

Jake Sedgemore, Simon Russell and Lee Thompson all forced good saves out of Tamworth 'keeper Sean Bowles, but the hosts managed to hold on and went into the break a goal to the good.

However, it didn't take Harriers long to force their way back into the contest.

Only a minute into the second-half Thompson won a good flick-on and White evaded Scott Stamps, another former Kidderminster player, to drill home the equaliser.

Tamworth could have regained the lead with 17 minutes to go when substitute Scott Rickards floated over a cross which was heading towards Williams before the Harriers defence managed to put it behind for a corner.

Then, as the game was drawing to an end, the visitors had a good penalty claim turned down when Ben Starosta appeared to handle the ball inside the area.

After the final whistle, Yates heaped praise on White.

He said: "It was an excellent finish and a goal he fully deserved.

"He led the line for us and finished his chance with aplomb.

"I was generally pleased with the level of performance and commitment from my team.

"Tamworth did well at times, but I thought we were the better team and passed the ball well.

"The lads showed some great spirit and got out of the hole they'd got themselves into in the first-half, as we'd been poor defensively."

The point leaves Harriers 15th in the Conference, while Tamworth are now four points ahead of bottom club Southport.

Kidderminster entertain Crawley Town tomorrow night (7.45pm).