Saturday, August 7, 2004

THE pursuit of goals was stifled by sweltering conditions as Kidderminster Harriers opened their League Two campaign with a 0-0 draw at Rushden and Diamonds.

With a relentless sun beating down on the Nene Park pitch, it was no surprise director of football Jan Molby's men failed to inject much energy or fire into their performance.

Summer signings Frederic Advice-Desruisseaux and Youssou Diop may be more used to the heat from their time in France but the pace of the English game is still foreign to them.

Micky Mellon also made his debut in midfield and improved as the game went on, while loan men Simon Brown and Adrian Viveash started their second spells with the club.

The extent of the close-season changes made Harriers look a little disjointed but they were delighted with a clean sheet at their relegated rivals.

Although Rushden threatened down the flanks throughout the first half in particular, the visitors began to find their feet and looked the stronger side in the end, despite the sheer heat.

Molby will be expecting a lot more from his men as an attacking force in Tuesday's home game with Notts County though.

John Danby was generally well protected by Viveash and impressive skipper Wayne Hatswell at the heart of the defence but the keeper still had to show why he is rated so highly at Aggborough.

Danby made an early block from Alex Hay's near-post shot and then claimed a low drive from midfielder David Bell who gave left-back Steve Burton a torrid time on the wing.

In the second half, he expertly tipped over Stuart Gray's drive but was relieved to see Kevin Braniff's low drive deflected onto the post in the 55th minute.

Braniff, a temporary addition from Millwall, had earlier missed a great chance to put Rushden ahead, shooting wide in a one-on-one after Viveash had failed to cut out a long ball.

For Harriers part, Brown looked as lively as ever, lofting a free-kick over the bar and firing a crisp 20-yarder off target from a handy run inside.

Burton looked better going forward, stinging keeper Billy Turley's hands with one angled drive before providing a measured cross for an unmarked Hatswell who could only nod wide.

Harriers' best chances fell to defenders 17 minutes from time when Turley flapped at Burton's free-kick, leaving a headed chance for Viveash and rebound for Hatswell but Sean Connelly blocked both efforts superbly.

The fresh legs of subs Scott Rickards, Simon Russell and Dean Keates helped Harriers, cheered on by 571 away fans, dictate the later stages.

Though Rushden's Stuart Gray spooned one opportunity over the bar in the last six minutes, Harriers deserved their first point of the campaign.

Rushden: Turley; Connelly, Allen, Gier, Hawkins; Bell, Mills (Kelly 72), Gray, Burgess; Braniff, Hay (Dove 82). Subs not used: Worgan, Sambrook, Gulliver.

Harriers: Danby 7; McHale 6, HATSWELL 8, Viveash 7, Burton 6; Mellon 6 (Keates 76), Jenkins 7; Advice-Desruisseaux 6 (Russell 78); Brown 7, Christiansen 6, Diop 5 (Rickards 70, 6). Subs not used: Lewis, Gleeson.

Referee: D Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Attendance: 2,699.

Bookings: Rushden - Hawkins 89 (foul); Harriers - Jenkins 85 (foul).