Saturday, February 19, 2000

MANAGER Jan Molby is convinced Kidderminster Harriers can bounce back after being knocked off the top of the Nat-ionwide Conference table following Saturday's 3-1 defeat against Kettering Town at Rockingham Road.

The setback ended Harriers unbeaten 12-match league run and enabled title favourites Rushden & Diamonds to take over the leadership on goal difference.

They also have a game in hand over Harriers who had topped the table since January 8.

Molby said: "Starting this Saturday at home to Welling the run starts again because we have to bounce back.

"There's no reason to think that we aren't going to bounce back because we have got quality players with a lot of experience.

"The players all know they have let themselves and the fans down, but it does happen.

"In a season of 42 matches you aren't go-ing to be outstanding in every game and win every match.

"We played better on Saturday than in some of the games we have actually won."

Kidderminster, who had not tasted Conference defeat since November 6 when they went down 3-2 at Telford, paid the price for a below-par defensive display and were 2-0 down by half-time.

It was 3-0 within a minute of the second period and although Dean Bennett reduced the deficit on 49 minutes, the task of clawing their way back into the match proved too difficult.

Molby said: "We had enough chances to have got something out of the game. I actually thought that in a 15-minute spell before half-time we had the better opportunities.

"There were a lot of disappointing aspects in the game, but the season as a whole I've got no complaints about. There were always going to be disappointments from now to the end of the season, but it is what we do now that counts.

"In the last 15 games or so, for whatever reason, we have been slow starters and on Saturday we were punished for that and found ourselves 2-0 down.

"Once we got into gear we played some great stuff, but Kettering are normally very strong defensively and I think they showed that."

The Poppies, who lost 1-0 at Aggborough in October, went ahead in the 23rd minute when Brett McNamara and Carl Adams set up the chance for Matt Fisher to score with a crisp 12-yard shot.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 when Carl Shutt ran in to expertly head home a free-kick from Adams.

During a promising spell before half-time, Bennett was denied by an excellent save by goalkeeper Adam Sollitt before Scott Stamps wasted a great chance by firing wide from close range.

After just 31 seconds of the second period Kettering produced a killer blow when Dale Watkins created the opening for Phil Brown to score.

It was the first time this season that they have notched three goals in a league match.

Midfielder Bennett gave Harriers hope when he scored with a diving header following a Stamps' cross, but des-pite Bennett having a shot knocked off the line and Adie Smith having a 'goal' disallowed the Poppies refused to wilt.