Tuesday, September 18, 2002

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers stretched their unbeaten run to six matches with a comfortable 2-0 victory at Southend last night.

The home outfit went into the match boasting four wins from their previous five outings but were made to look very average by a Harriers side which always showed more appetite, hunger and endeavour.

Indeed angry Southend fans booed their team off the pitch following an embarrassing night which could have been even worse.

Kidderminster were a constant threat on the break and with a little more steadiness in front of goal could have made the journey home with even more goals to show for their labours.

The two young newcomers on loan from Wolves -- midfielder John Melligan and central defender Mark Clyde -- must have impressed their watching manager Dave Jones.

Melligan capped a busy night with a points clinching goal and his pace and close control had Southend chasing shadows.

But it was Harriers' skipper Sean Flynn who just about shaded the man-of-the-match honours and his headed goal just before the break was the icing on the cake of an immaculate 90 minutes work.

Flynn totally controlled the middle of the park -- winning and using the ball to great effect.

Southend got off to a bright start but it was Kidderminster who gradually gained the upper hand.

Harriers were in no mood to be denied and took the lead in first-half added time -- Ian Foster's pin-point cross from the right being headed home by Flynn, his first goal since moving from Tranmere.

Any hopes Southend had of getting back into the game was gone within four minutes of the restart when Bo Henriksen and Flynn linked up to send Melligan clear and he made no mistake with a crisp, low drive.

Southend got more and more desperate as the game wore on and with more coolness Foster and Henriksen might have added to the score.

Harriers: Brock 7; Hinton 8, Clyde 8, Ayres 8; Foster 8, Williams 7, Flynn 9, Melligan 8, Shilton 8; Broughton 8, Henriksen 7 (sub 81 minutes Joy). Subs (not used): Danby, Bennett, Doyle, Lower. Attendance: 2,959.