Tuesday, February 10, 2004

IAN Foster has pledged to try his best to help keep Kidderminster Harriers in the Nationwide League Division Three.

The 27-year-old striker was speaking after making a shock return in last night's goalless draw with Cheltenham Town at Aggborough.

Foster has rejoined Harriers on an initial month's loan from Chester and was included in the starting line-up along with another newcomer Dean Keates from Hull City.

Midfielder Keates made an encouraging debut while Foster was replaced by Jesper Christiansen on 70 minutes when he started to tire after a hard working performance.

Their inclusion, however, failed to solve Harriers' shortage of goals which was highlighted again when Cheltenham were able to safely keep them at bay.

The deadlock nudged Jan Molby's men four points clear of the drop zone and facing a crucial match at fellow relegation strugglers Southend United on Saturday.

Foster, who joined Chester after leaving Aggborough last summer, refused to be downbeat by Harriers failure to win, saying: "It's another point and it's a clean-sheet, so hopefully that will kick-start us off.

"There are 16 games to go and plenty of points to play for and hopefully I can help keep Kidderminster in the Third Division where they belong."

Foster said he was 'doing cartwheels down Kidderminster High Street' after Molby phoned him about returning to Aggborough.

He said: "I had no hesitation. I still live here and never wanted to leave. I'm delighted to come back and hopefully enjoy some good times."

After last night's draw, Molby admitted that it was going to be a long, slow recovery for Harriers.

He said: "I thought it was uninspiring but I guess around the country there are an awful lot of Third Division games like this.

"But sometimes you have to be happy with a point and a clean sheet because we've got to start somewhere. We've got to stick together, work as hard as we can and hopefully at some stage it will break for us."

In a high tempo game Harriers main first half scoring efforts came from Adam Murray, Dean Bennett and Keates while after the break Christiansen had a shot well saved by Cheltenham's former Worcester City 'keeper Shane Higgs.

The Robins also had their moments with Paul Brayson twice going close during the opening period and Grant McCann having a shot well saved by Stuart Brock in the second half.

Harriers' lack of fire power, however, has left them without a win in their last six league outings.

Kidderminster: Brock 6, Stamps 6, Hinton 6, Gadsby 5, Bennett 6, J. Williams 5, Keates 6, Murray 7, Rickards 5, Foster 6 (Christiansen 70, 5), Hatswell 6. Subs (not used): D. Williams, Parrish, Danby, Ward.

Attendance: 3,803.