Saturday, November 3, 2001

DEAN Bennett's first goal of the season provided the platform for Kidderminster Harriers well-deserved 2-0 Nationwide League Division Three victory over Bristol Rovers at Aggborough on Saturday.

"He's been taking a lot of stick because he hadn't scored for quite a while, but it was a tremendous strike," said Harriers assistant boss Gary Barnett.

Kidderminster's second successive home win was sealed when Drewe Broughton scored in the second half of a match which attracted the biggest Aggborough gate so far this season -- 3,588.

For ever-improving Harriers it was another impressive display which followed the 4-1 thrashing of York City in their previous home game.

Barnett said: "We made a slow start but it was a lot of hard work on Tuesday night at Chesterfield and that maybe had something to do with it. But once we got going I was very pleased with the players.

"We were far more inventive in and around the box. Bennett's goal certainly settled us down and we started to play some nice football.

"The lads are enjoying the 4-3-3 system and in the last four games we have got a lot of consistent individual performances which is always going to give you a chance of getting a result.

"It's been slow coming, but now we are to this level of performance throughout the whole team we have really got to concentrate on keeping standards as high as they are at the moment.

"The way the lads have approached the attacking side of the game has been tremendous over the last four games."

Broughton said: "I was disappointed the first ten minutes and I gave myself a little bit of a slap across the face and said 'come on' and from then on I didn't really look back. I felt I made a couple of chances for people and I was delighted to get on the scoresheet.

"The movement, passing and competitiveness was there and I think what stood out was the work rate in midfield."

The game, in which eight players were booked, was deservedly tipped into Harriers favour in the 33rd minute when a long kick by keeper Stuart Brock was headed down by Broughton to Bennett, who fired in a perfectly struck 20 yarder into the far corner of the net.

Kidderminster, beaten only once at home in the league this season, sealed victory in the 61st minute when Danny Williams robbed Dwayne Plummer and knocked the ball to Broughton who confidently slotted his shot past keeper Scott Howie.

Rovers' efforts to get back into the game were foiled by Brock who pulled off splendid saves to deny Kevin Gall and Plummer.

Gerry Francis' men were lucky not to go 3-0 down in stoppage time when a shot from substitute Sam Shilton rebounded off the bar.

GOALSCORERS: Bennett 33 (1-0), Broughton 61 (2-0).

STAR PLAYER: Dean Bennett.

CARDS: Harriers - Broughton (dissent), Sall, Stamps (both fouls). Rovers - Plummer, Bryant, Ross, Wilson, Challis (all fouls) (all yellow).

ATTENDANCE: 3,588.

REFEREE: Mr P. Danson (Leicester).

KIDDERMINSTER: Brock 7, Clarkson 7, Stamps 7, Blake 6 (Smith 59, 6), Hinton 7, Sall 7 Larkin 7, Williams 8, Broughton 8, Foster 7 (Shilton 76), Bennett 9. Subs (not used): Murphy, Bird, Hadley.

BRISTOL ROVERS: Howie, Cameron, Plummer, Thompson, Foster, Mauge (Gall 37), Wilson, Jones (Challis 46), Ross, Bryant (Bubb 55), Walters. Subs (not used): Clarke, Foran.