Saturday, April 28, 2001

DREWE Broughton made a costly mistake by thinking he was the man for the job when Kidderminster Harriers were awarded their first penalty of the season in Saturday's 1-0 Nationwide League Division Three defeat against Hartle-pool United at Aggborough.

The former Peterborough striker decided to take responsibility for the 26th minute kick and ended up having his poorly struck effort well pushed around the post by keeper Anthony Williams.

The outcome, however, may have been different if the player earmarked to take penalties -- Scott Stamps -- had been given the chance!

The Kidderminster defender explained: "Ian Foster is our usual penalty taker but he's out injured, so I said I'd take them. But Drewe just ran and got the ball, put it down and unluckily missed. But he had the nerve to go and take it."

The wasted chance enabled Hartlepool to go on and secure at least a play-off place by snatching a dramatic 88th minute winner through substitute James Sharp.

Broughton's misery was then completed when he was sent off in stoppage time for two bookable offences.

Disappointed Harriers boss Jan Molby said: "The goal was the only effort that was anywhere near goal in the second half. I think the penalty award surprised everybody, but there can be no complaints. It was poorly struck.

"We have seen better team this season in the Third Division, but Hartlepool have beaten us twice and good luck to them."

Regarding Broughton's dismissal, he said: "He does play with his elbows up. I keep telling him he can't get away with it. It probably had to happen sooner rather than later."

Stamps said: "If we had been 1-0 up at half time I thought we'd have won the game, but we didn't go for it. It was a very poor game. We didn't start from the first minute to the last and they deserved their three points at the end.

"Hartlepool are not the best team we have played against, not like Blackpool who are a good footballing side. I don't think Hartlepool were that much of a footballing team. They had a few big lads up front and used them well."

The game began as a hectic midfield battle until bursting into life when Harriers' long wait for a penalty came to an end following a handball offence by midfielder Mark Tinkler.

Four minutes later Tinkler had the opportunity to make amends but steered a free header wide following an Ian Clark corner.

Ten minutes before half time a header by Tony Lormor hit the Kidderminster bar before 'keeper Tim Clarke reacted superbly to stop Tommy Miller scoring from the rebound.

After the break Hartlepool had a couple of penalty appeals turned down but breathed a huge sigh of relief in the 78th minute when Harriers spurned a great chance when substitute Tony Bird fired wide when well positioned.

The missed chances came home to roost when Sharp netted Hartlepool's winner with a close range header following an inviting free-kick from Paul Stephenson.

Broughton made an early trip to the dressing rooms in stoppage time when he was penalised for an alleged elbow, having already been booked.