Monday, April 17, 2000

TWO well-taken goals from striker Steve Taylor helped Kidderminster Harriers retain the Worcestershire Senior Cup with a 3-0 victory over Solihull Borough in last night's final at Aggborough.

He struck in the 65th and 87th minute after Steve Pope had broken the deadlock shortly after half time.

During the match Kidderminster used 14 players, five of whom had not previously tasted first team action.

The first half was a disappointing affair with goalmouth incidents few and far between.

Andy Brownrigg and Taylor both went close with Solihull's Joe Dowling just missing the target from 18 yards shortly before the interval.

After the break, however, Kidderminster adopted a far more positive approach and in the 48th minute defender Pope found himself unchallenged to head home a deep cross from Les Hines.

Andrew Corbett had a long range effort go wide before Harriers stretched their led when a cross from Gary Barnett was hit past keeper Richard Anstiss by Taylor with a well executed scissor kick.

Former Bromsgrove Rovers campaigner Taylor then killed off battling Solihull when he drilled the ball past the helpless Anstiss to seal a comfortable victory for Harriers, who had Shaun Cunnington and Brownrigg booked in separate incidents.

By agreement with Solihull and the Worcestershire FA, the match was a one-off affair as last week's scheduled first leg was called off because of a waterlogged pitch at Redditch United's Valley Stadium ground where the Dr Martens League Western Division side play their home matches.

Kidderminster: Brock 6, Tucker 6, Hines 7, Bugler 6, Pope 6, Cunnington 6 (Davies 73, 6), Brownrigg 7, Corbett 7 (Druce 67, 6), Taylor 7, King 6 (Kelsall 56, 6), Barnett 8. Subs (not used): Hall, Creighton.

H Star man: Gary Barnett.

Attendance: 887.

n Tickets are now on sale for Kidderminster's remaining matches at Aggborough on Saturday against Northwich Victoria (3pm) and on Monday, May 1, against Forest Green Rovers (7.45pm).

Reynolds Stand tickets are only available for Northwich but Harriers match with Forest Green will be all-ticket with terrace tickets available for the North Stand, the Bill Greaves Stand and the South Stand.

Kidderminster will shortly have seat tickets on sale for their final match of the season at Altrincham on Saturday, May 6.