Harriers 1 Coventry 5

MICHAEL Blackwood gave Kidderminster Harriers a promising start only for Cov-entry City to eventually run away with the friendly at Aggborough last night.

City's slick pass-and-move style through the middle cut Harriers open on numerous occasions and it was no surprise the Coca-Cola Champion-ship side completed a 5-1 win.

Former Premiership winner Jeff Kenna impressed for the hosts, looking assured with the ball at his feet and reading the game well during a 78-minute appearance which saw him figure on the right, left and centre of defence.

But Harriers were too often left chasing shadows as Cov-entry's pace and clever ap-proach work ensured a five-star show.

Left-winger Blackwood gave Mark Yates' men a brilliant start, finding the corner of the net with an audacious outside-of-the-boot effort from an acute angle.

The goal arrived on 11 minutes but a classy Coventry line-up, featuring the experienced heads of Marcus Hall, Stephen Hughes, Dele Ade-bola and Stern John ahead of their league opener against Sunderland on Sunday, soon worked their way back into the pre-season warm-up.

Faygal El Idrissi cut inside from the left to hit a low 20-yarder which crept past goalkeeper Steve Taylor, hitting the inside of the post on its way into the net for the Sky Blues' 24th-minute equaliser.

Coventry surged ahead 11 minutes later with El Idrissi this time the creator, curling in a free-kick for centre-half Matthew Heath to guide a header past a rooted Taylor.

Although Blackwood nearly added a second Harriers goal with a cross-shot, Trinidad and Tobago star John split the defence for Adebola to fire home just before half-time.

Big Nigerian Adebola and John, both ex-Birmingham City strikers, could have scored further goals before the African stole in ahead of giant centre-half Mark Creighton to head in Hall's long cross in the 64th minute.

Harriers midfielder Russ Penn moved forward to rifle a powerful drive just off target and Luke Reynolds flashed another effort wide as the Conference outfit showed there was little wrong with their fitness levels.

But the gap in quality showed again when John nipped goal-side of Black-wood, now at left-back, and centred for Moussa N'Diaye to easily finish off the fifth four minutes from time.

Harriers: Taylor; Kenna (Eaton 78), Whitehead (McGrath 55), Creighton, Harkness (Hurren 46); McClen (Russell 66), Sedgemore, Penn, Blackwood; Sturridge (Smikle 66), White (Reynolds 46).

Attendance: 834.