Saturday, April 22, 2000

RED-hot promotion favourites Kidderminster Harriers stretched their unbeaten home Nationwide Conference record to 16 matches when they triumphed 3-1 over Norwich Victoria at Aggborough.

The impressive run includes 14 victories and two draws with their last defeat on home territory being on September 13 when they suffered a 2-1 reversal against Nuneaton Borough.

On Saturday the record was never in danger as manager Jan Molby's men stormed into a 3-0 lead by half time thanks to smartly-taken goals from Neil Midgley, Stewart Hadley and Mike Marsh.

And with little rivals Rushden & Diamonds suffering a disastrous 2-1 defeat at Southport it was a hugely profitable day for rampant Kidderminster.

Afterwards man-of-the-match Marsh said: "We played very well first-half considering the heavy condition of the pitch. It was 3-0 at half-time and game over.

"We wanted to get a few more to add to our goal difference but we played terribly in the second half to be honest.

"But we've also got to thank my local team Southport. They aren't a bad side. It was a really hard game for us there the previous Saturday and we thought Rushden would have a tough game. Southport won't give anything up easily, especially with Mark Wright in charge.

"Since I've arrived at Kidderminster things have gone very well for me, rarely getting beaten and top of the league."

Harriers, who drew 1-1 at Northwich in November, took the lead in the 19th minute when a 25 yard shot from Scott Stamps was turned in by Midgley, who is on loan from Ipswich Town.

Six minutes later it was 2-0 when a cross from the eye-catching Marsh was slid in from close range by Hadley for his 11th goal of the campaign.

Harriers were then denied another goal when Northwich's agile keeper Malcolm Rigby pulled off a terrific diving save to deny substitute Dean Bennett who had been drafted on for injured midfielder Phil King in the ninth minute.

Five minutes before half time Kidderminster stretched their lead to 3-0 when Marsh fired in an well struck 18 yard shot after latching on to a cross from Andy Brownrigg.

Although not as lethal as in the first half, Harriers continued to hold the upper hand after the break and another brilliant save by Rigby stopped Brownrigg from making it 4-0 in the 67th minute.

Northwich notched a last gasp consolation goal through Lee Poland, but it was far too little and too late to unsettle Kidderminster who have only lost twice in the league at Aggborough this season.