Saturday, February 26, 2000

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers returned to the top of the Nationwide Conference table after hitting back from a goal down to beat relegation-threatened Welling United 4-1 at Aggborough on Saturday.

They are now two points clear of title-favourites Rushden & Diamonds who have a game in hand over manager Jan Molby's promotion-hopefuls.

Harriers now also have the same goal difference as Rushden after stretching their unbeaten home league run to 11 games, which includes ten victories.

The match started 20 minutes late because Welling's team coach was delayed in traffic, but they soon made up for lost time by going ahead in the 22nd minute through Jae Martin.

Mike Marsh, however, equalised on the stroke of half time before Welling contributed to their own downfall by having defender Michael Harle sent off in the 53rd minute.

It proved a major turning point in the match in which Kidderminster sealed victory with goals from Ian Foster, Dean Bennett and Thomas Skovbjerg.

Afterwards midfielder Marsh said: "It was a difficult game. They stole the lead, but once we scored we took it from there.

"We didn't really start very well, but luckily we got a goal just before half time and then we produced our usual second half performance. One we had gone into the lead it could have been five or six at the end.

"Getting back on top of the league shows us what we are made of and the character in the side after falling behind and coming back strongly."

Kidderminster, who were knocked out of the FA Cup by Welling earlier in the season, were stunned by the visitors when an uncharacteristic misjudgement by keeper Tim Clarke enabled Martin to score from a free kick.

Marsh, however, equalised with a perfectly placed curling free kick from 20 yards.

After the interval Harriers, who had been knocked off the top of the table the previous Saturday when they lost 3-1 at Kettering, stepped up their victory bid.

Their battling efforts were helped when Harle was dismissed for a second bookable offence, both for fouls.

Within seven minutes of his dismissal Molby's men were in front thanks to leading scorer Foster's 13th goal of the serason.

It was created by Bennett who ten minutes later got himself on the scoresheet when he finished off an opening made by Stewart Hadley.

Paul Webb then provided the pass for Thomas Skovbjerg to complete the scoring for Kidderminster's 12 home league victory of the season.

During the second half Harriers used three substitutes including their new on-loan striker Richard Burgess from Stoke City. He replaced Ian Foster after 63 minutes and showed some neat touches.