KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Stuart Watkiss is satisfied with the club's first week back in the Conference -- but he admits his plans to overhaul the youth set-up have been put on hold for another season.

An opening day 2-1 win over Woking and a midweek 1-0 defeat at Exeter completed a mixed return to non-League football for Harriers ahead of Saturday's trip to Scarborough.

But Watkiss -- who could be without hamstring strain midfielders Martin O'Connor and Michael Blackwood at the McCain stadium -- insists Harriers "compared favourably" with two of the Conference's promotion hopefuls.

"We've already played two of the teams that are going to be there or thereabouts in this division this season and we've compared favourably to them.

"We're going to come across a direct style of football and we have to stand up and be counted.

"I'm not too disappointed with the way the first week has gone and I still feel quite optimistic."

But while the Aggborough boss is relatively pleased with first team matters, he is less impressed with plans for the youth team.

Cash needed to overhaul the system by establishing a full time training, playing and education programme for apprentices has not been forthcoming quickly enough despite a fundraising campaign by fans.

The 250-club aimed at getting supporters to contribute £250 each has raised around £8,000 but more than twice that figure was needed to pay a full-time youth team manager.

That rules out a quickfire return for axed assistant boss Gary Barnett who had been touted for the job.

Instead club stalwart Phil Mullen will combine the role with his position of new business manager.

The youth team, who were run by Shaun Cunnington before he resigned to focus on his restaurant business, will continue to train on a part-time basis and play in the West Midlands Youth Floodlit League.