Saturday, May 8, 2004

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers director of football Jan Molby was happy with the way his side finished their Nationwide League Division Three campaign with victory over Boston United at Aggborough on Saturday.

They controlled the match for most of the time and were well worth their victory which enabled them to sign off in 16th place.

Molby said: "We played some reasonable stuff, especially in the first half, but the most impressive thing about the game was the number of chances we created.

"John Williams had four open goals and missed them all, but in the end he got himself a good goal. So, instead of it being 2-0, I think it could have been 6-2 because they had a couple of chances as well."

Harriers, who completely dominated the first half, went ahead in the 22nd minute when a fierce 20-yard shot from on-loan striker Simon Brown rebounded off the post and hit luckless keeper Paul Bastock on the back before entering the net.

"It's an own goal, but it was a lovely piece of skill by Brown," said Molby, who would dearly love to have the West Bromwich Albion youngster in his ranks again next season.

He said: "In the first instance he's going back to West Brom. I think there's a contract issue to be sorted out. That is entirely between him and West Brom and we'll take it from there.

Efforts

"If ever he was available, whether that be on a month or season loan or a permanent move, we would try and be in the hat for him. But for the time being we thank him for his efforts and now he's going to go back to West Brom."

Boston nearly got back on level terms in the 32nd minute when a fierce free kick by David Noble was deflected onto the top of the bar and over for a corner which was headed narrowly wide by Lee Thompson.

Harriers, with their player-of-the-season Wayne Hatswell again prominent in defence, sealed their ninth home league win of the campaign in the 73rd minute when determined Matt Gadsby shook off a number of challenges before providing the perfect pass for Williams to fire in an angled shot from 18 yards.

Harriers: Brock 7, Sall 7, Stamps 7, Hinton 7, Gadsby 7, Williams 6, H Parrish 8, Rickards 6 (Christiansen 55, 6), Hatswell 7, Yates 6 (McHale 87), Brown 7 (Murray 83). Subs not used: Burton, Jenkins.

Referee: J. Ross (London).

Attendance: 3,047.