Saturday, August 14, 2004

JAN Molby poured praise on goalkeeper John Danby after an Ian Foster penalty earned ten-man Kidderminster Harriers a 1-0 Coca-Cola League Two win over Darlington at Aggborough on Saturday.

Rookie Danby pulled off two super saves in the closing stages to enable Harriers to clinch their first victory of the season and move into sixth place in the table.

Aggborough director of football Molby admitted the 20-year-old had come to Kidderminster's rescue with what he described as two 'incredible' stops.

"I've said for a long time that he's one of the best goalkeepers in the lower divisions. I see him every day on the training ground and he's not stopped improving yet. I'm convinced he'll go a long way in the game," said the former Liverpool star.

After launching the season with goalless draws against Rushden & Diamonds and Notts County, Harriers grabbed the chance to open their victory account when Simon Brown was fouled inside the area by Darlington skipper Craig Liddle in the 51st minute.

Foster calmly beat keeper Sam Russell to pave the way for Molby's men to pocket maximum points, despite having Brown sent off after 61 minutes.

The loan signing was handed a yellow card for stopping the Quakers taking a quick throw-in.

Then Brown saw red when he disregarded referee Steve Tanner's whistle and decided to shoot after being flagged offside.

Both offences happened in the space of 60 seconds and he now misses Saturday's trip to Mansfield Town.

Molby said: "What I can't understand is that Liddle brings down somebody in the area and gives away a penalty, but there's no booking.

"And then in the last minute he handles the ball when we're on the counter and there's no booking. Yet we get a booking for Brown just nudging the ball away.

"All we want is consistency. We don't want any player to be in trouble with bookings, but we want the referees and linesmen to be consistent, and they're failing in that."

Darlington, however, were unable to take advantage of Brown's dismissal - thanks to Danby.

Firstly, he managed to block a fierce drive from Craig Russell and then in stoppage time pushed away a header from Matt Clarke.

Unbeaten Harriers have not conceded a goal in their first three games.

Kidderminster: *Danby 8; Jenkins 6, Hatswell 7, Viveash 7, Burton 6; Mellon 6 (Rickards, 86), Keates 6, Advice-Desruisseaux 7; Brown 7, Diop 7 (Christiansen, 68, 5), Foster 6. Subs not used: Lewis, McHale, Russell.

Attendance: 2,303.