HARRIERS 2, MANSFIELD 1

THE Division Three campaign got off to an extraordinary start for Kidderminster Harriers keeper Stuart Brock and striker Bo Henriksen.

While Brock pulled off some truly outstanding saves, Henriksen bagged an early goal-of-the-season contender and a penalty.

The duo ensured Harriers picked up a 2-1 opening win over a Mansfield side tipped to at least be among the play-off contenders.

It was certainly not vintage Kidderminster but then an amazingly hot day was hardly going to produce the best out of either side.

As it was, the players still summoned up impressive fitness levels to produce an entertaining clash that the visitors certainly deserved something out of.

But their finishing, including that of Aggborough old boy Colin Larkin, did not match Henriksen who quickly added to his 20 goals from 2002-03.

Mansfield were not helped by the brilliance of Brock although the Harriers keeper rode his luck at times.

But there was little fortune involved when he tipped away Iyseden Christie's wickedly deflected drive on 38 minutes, truly a breath-taking stop.

The way he somehow kept out Liam Lawrence's low free-kick four minutes later with a hand from nowhere was also inspired.

Harriers could have been behind by the time Henriksen scored on 15 minutes with a glorious left-foot 25-yard lob after breaking clear onto Kenny Coleman's long pass.

Craig Hinton's low back-pass gifted Larkin a chance but the former Harriers loan man, known for missing his fair share of one-on-ones, was denied by Brock from an angle.

Despite his finishing, Larkin was a constant menace and his 25th-minute drive from the edge of the area was well collected by the diving Brock.

Harriers looked nervy from corners and a towering Luke Dimech header on the half-hour mark caused all sorts of problems.

From another flag-kick moments later, centre-back David Artell's shot was blocked by Brock and Lawrence followed up to head across the face of goal.

In between the excellent stops from Christie and Lawrence, Brock also clutched another Dimech header and saw Lee Williamson fire wide following a good run.

Mansfield's final chance to level in the first half fell to Larkin who out-foxed Hinton but snatched at his shot.

But in a second period played out at the expected slower speed, Keith Curle's side, relegated from Division Two last season, conjured up a terrific equaliser.

Hinton was harshly penalised for a foul on 65 minutes and Wayne Corden curled a classic 20-yard free-kick into Brock's top right-hand corner.

A Harriers victory now appeared unlikely but their resilience paid dividends just nine minutes later.

Dean Bennett challenged keeper Kevin Pilkington, with Mansfield claiming a foul, and the ball fell for Coleman whose effort was blocked by the arm of Jamie Clarke.

The Mansfield defender escaped any action but team-mates Pilkington and Tom Curtis were yellow carded for dissent.

Referee Steve Tanner's outlook on the incident meant little to Harriers as Henriksen buried the resulting penalty.

Harriers lasted the pace better than their rivals in the fierce heat and were given few problems later in the second period.

Substitute Craig Disley planted a header too close to Brock and Artell drove wide when he could have done better after a mad scramble from Corden's corner.

But Harriers were guilty of giving the ball away far too cheaply through much of the game and they could have been heavily punished if it were not for their goalkeeper.

HARRIERS: BROCK 9; Hinton 6, Willis 7, Stamps 7; Coleman 7, Bennett 7, D Williams 7, Flynn 7, Shilton 7; Bishop 6 (J Williams 70, 6), Henriksen 7 (Ward 90). Subs not used: Parrish, Danby, Ayres.

MANSFIELD: Pilkington; Hassell, Dimech, Artell, Clarke; Lawrence (Disley 46), Curtis, Williamson, Corden; Christie (White 76), Larkin (Mendes 60). Subs not used: Day, John-Baptiste.

ATTENDANCE: 3,180.

SHOTS ON: Harriers 2, Mansfield 8.

SHOTS OFF: Harriers 5, Mansfield 9.

CORNERS: Harriers 5, Mansfield 10.

GOALS: Henriksen 15, Corden 65, Henriksen 74.

YELLOW CARDS: Harriers 1 (Hinton), Mansfield 4 (Lawrence, Dimech, Curtis, Pilkington).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Stuart Brock. Harriers' goal led a charmed life in the first half as their goalkeeper displayed shot-stopping brilliance alongside a slice of luck.