Saturday, October 16, 1999

KIDDERMINSTER'S Jan Molby accused his players of lacking desire after they crashed out of the FA Cup at Welling.

Harriers never got going in the fourth qualifying round tie and Molby, who won three FA Cup winner medals at Liverpool, tore into his players after a goal in each half sent them packing.

''It was a shocking performance," blasted Molby. 'This is the greatest cup competition in the world, but on the day we didn't fancy it. I find that unforgivable.

"It was always going to be difficult away from home, but you can't surrender like we did.

"There were no excuses. Right the way through the team we just weren't at the races and that has happened too often this season.

"To be a footballer you've got to have the desire and you've got to be able to do it week in and week out. That means playing well every time you play and string a few results together.

"But we can't do that and we really never showed the desire today," Molby added.

The only two Kidderminster players who escaped the manager's wrath were transfer-listed full-back Les Hines and Shaun Cunnington, who replaced the injured Andy Brownrigg in central midfield.

After a nervy opening ten minutes, Welling dictated the pace of the game with striker Zeke Rowe and midfielder Anthony Rivere proving a real handful.

Unmarked

Harriers' first opening came on 17 minutes but an unmarked Paul Webb headed Thomas Skovbjerg's cross over the bar.

Welling skipper Mike Rutherford almost broke through on 19 minutes after sloppy defending from Steve Pope, and the same player was denied by a crucial Hines block four minutes later.

Dean Bennett had a powerful shot tipped over by home goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson that proved the visitors' last real effort of the half.

Kidderminster continually gave away possession but Welling never punished them until two minutes before half-time.

A quickly taken throw caught the defence napping and striker Leon Braithwaite's shot looped under the crossbar.

The opening 15 minutes of the second-half proved Harriers' best spell of the game.

Then Hines drove a free kick wide in the 61st minute but the home side regained control of the game after that and scored their second and killer goal on 70 minutes.

Patient play released Ritchie Hanlon on the left of the box and he squared for Rutherford who burst from midfield and drove home from 15 yards.