Saturday, July 15, 2006

TRIALIST Brian Smikle caught the eye against his former employers as Kidderminster Harriers drew their only home friendly 0-0 with West Brom.

The Baggies fielded a mainly youthful line-up with the stronger side being sent to play Walsall later in the afternoon.

But Harriers boss Mark Yates, currently without another home warm-up after Wolves pulled out of their match, was happy with the work-out.

The hosts looked promising defensively and big goalkeeper Scott Bevan, one of their summer signings, stopped anything that did get past the back-four. Winger Smikle, released by the Black Country side, nearly gained a slice of revenge in a lively display only to hit the post. Bevan saved from Michael Nardiello and Junichi Inamoto with Ronnie Wallwork and Nigel Quashie the other recognised Baggies names.

Veteran trialist Bob Taylor, a legend at The Hawthorns, made a 12-minute sub appearance, while Dean Sturridge played 31 minutes and went close to scoring.

Harriers: Bevan (Taylor 46), Hurren, Creighton (Walker 78), Whitehead (Preece 46), Blackwood (Fitzpatrick 59), Smikle (Sturridge 59), Penn (Edkins 59), McClen (Sedgemore 46), McGrath (Russell 46), Reynolds (Eaton 46, Taylor 78), White (Sinclair 59).

Attendance: 1,105.