Wednesday, September 11, 2002

PREMIERSHIP-chasing Nottingham Forest snuffed out Kidderminster Harriers' hopes of a Worthington Cup upset with a clinical 4-0 first round job last night.

The gulf in class between the former European Cup winners from Division One and their Division Three visitors was evident from the start.

Two goals in each half saw Forest comfortably through to the second round and only a couple of fine saves from goalkeeper Stuart Brock in the closing stages prevented a complete rout.

And just to add to a miserable night for Harriers, boss Ian Britton saw the Aggborough casualty list grow even longer.

Already robbed of big defender Abdou Sall and pacy midfielder Dean Bennett through injuries, he now has fitness doubts over two more players for Saturday's Division Three trip to Scunthorpe.

Hamstring trouble ruled out full-back Adie Smith from last night's cup-tie, while experienced midfielder Sean Parrish finished the game with a similar strain.

Forest were also without a number of key senior players including former England international defender Des Walker.

But the passing, skill, movement and speed of their young side put them in a different class.

Harriers defended bravely after starting with an ambitious 3-4-3 formation but were always in trouble after falling behind on 23 minutes.

Jack Lester was first to Jim Brennan's inviting cross with his head, leaving keeper Brock completely stranded.

Harriers had only just enjoyed their first efforts at goal with both Ian Foster and Danny Williams firing wide.

Britton may have stood a chance of changing the game plan if they had reached half-time without falling further behind but the tie slipped beyond them seconds before the interval.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Riccardo Scimeca met David Johnson's cross with a sweet volley, giving Brock no chance from 15 yards.

Scimeca was a headache all night and had served an early warning when he struck the post on six minutes.

The second half proved a formality for Forest who quickly added their third when Johnson nodded home Craig Westcarr's perfect cross on 51 minutes.

Harriers had to wait until the hour-mark before getting their first shot on target but keeper Darren Ward comfortably saved Parrish's drive.

Then Parrish tripped Eugen Bopp in the box and Lester fired home th resulting 69th minute penalty.

HARRIERS: Brock 6; Hinton 7, Ayres 8, Stamps 7; Ducros 6 (Doyle 74), Flynn 6, Williams 6, Parrish 6; Henriksen 6 (Shilton 66, 6), Broughton 6, Foster 6 (Lower 74). Subs: Danby, Joy.

ATTENDANCE: 4,498.