A HARRIERS goal avalanche seemed on the cards judging from the first 10 minutes of their final pre-season friendly at Halesowen Town.

But the rest of the game was somewhat different as a competitive Halesowen proved they will be a strong test for Stourport Swifts in the Dr Martens League Western Division.

Harriers eventually won 2-1 on Monday night to complete a very encouraging programme of practice matches that have not surprisingly given fans new hope.

Boss Jan Molby fielded the 11 that could be starting Saturday's Division Three opener at home to Scunthorpe United.

And they started off at a terrific pace with the revitalised Tony Bird striking the woodwork in only the third minute.

It was Bird who set up the eighth minute opener, laying Scott Stamps' raking cross back to Andy Ducros who rifled the ball home first time past Harriers old boy Tim Clarke from the edge of the area.

Halesowen looked shell-shocked but fought their way back into the friendly with a tigerish attitude and no little skill.

Stewart Hadley, who had a battle on his hands with uncompromising centre-backs Lee Collins and Lee Knight, did test Clarke with a low drive on 26 minutes as Harriers could have added to the scoreline.

They did so two minutes into the second half when new signing Sam Shilton waltzed onto a loose ball in the box, rounded hesitant substitute keeper Martin Poole and found the target from a narrow angle.

However, Halesowen showed up well in a hard-tackling encounter and deserved their 69th minute strike.

The tricky Alfie Carter wriggled free of Craig Hinton and Harriers' star defender stretched for a recovery tackle in the area that only set up an easy chance for the experienced Dennis Bailey.

Bailey then headed a superb Aengus Martin cross wide and Collins nodded ex-Harrier Les Hines' free-kick over the bar as the visitors held out for a tight victory.

Mark Blake made a real difference as a midfield general and looks like he could be a key player this season.

But good pre-season results mean nothing now as the serious business starts this weekend.

Harriers: Brock; Medou-Otye, Smith, Hinton, Stamps (Joy 46); Bird (Doyle 55), Blake, Davies (Bennett 46), Shilton; Ducros (Foster 55), Hadley.