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- 31 December
Mansfield Game Off
A frozen pitch has caused the postponement of tomorrow's trip to
Mansfield. As yet no date has ben arranged for the game to take place.
- 29 December
Tigers Tamed
Another excellent performance saw Harriers send the Tigers home
with their tails between their legs. Goals from Bo Henriksen, Colin
Larkin and Dean Bennett (his seventh consecutive scoring game) gave
the Reds a 3-0 win which moves them up into ninth position.
- 29 December
Hull City Preview
Harriers face another stiff test this afternoon with the visit of
third placed Hull City to Aggborough for what promises to be another
top quality game.
The Tigers are one of the better teams in the division, and will
be backed by around 2000 of the most passionate supporters in the league,
and will give Harriers' play-off credentials a stiff examination.
City will have a couple of key players missing through suspension: Mike
Edwards and Justin Whittle, Whittle will be remembered by Harriers
fans for his professional foul on Stewart Hadley which gave Harriers
a penalty and earned himself a red card in the meeting between the two
teams at Boothferry Park in August. They may make other changes by
choice, Paul Musselwhite is likely to play in goal while striker Lawrie
Dudfield is not fully fit and may be replaced by Richard Sneekes.
Harriers have an almost full squad to choose from, only Adie Smith
and Lee Ayres are definitely out, but Ian Clarkson and Bo Henriksen
have injuries which may keep them out. Henriksen has a groin strain
which almost kept him out of the game against Rochdale while Clarkson
has a foot injury, a late decision will be made on both players. Clarkson
would be the most difficult to replace as Parfait Medou-Otye is still
not fully fit which would probably lead to Ben Davies coming in at
full back or Mark Shail coming in in the middle and Craig Hinton moving
to full back. If Henriksen doesn't make it there are plenty of options
up front: Drewe Broughton, Tony Bird, Ian Foster or Andy Ducros, either
of the first two being most likely for this game.
Earlier in the season, Harriers were narrowly defeated 2-1 at Boothferry
Park, but currently are the in-form team in the division while Hull
are languishing in mid-table mediocrity over the last six games. For
a complete run down on previous Harriers v Hull encounters click here.
I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Brock, Clarkson, Stamps,
Blake, Hinton, Sall, Larkin, Williams, Henriksen, Bennett, Appleby.
- 28 December
Molby Thrilled With Rochdale Victory
"It was a tremendous performance" - Jan Molby
Harriers supremo Jan Molby was delighted with the team's performance
in Wednesday's thrashing of Rochdale, he said, "That was only our second
game of the month and, under the circumstances, it was a tremendous
performance".
He went on, "We played very well in patches though we could have
put them game out of reach early inside the first half. Our legs went
a little towards the end but that was probably to be expected after
the effort the lads put in. It was a good test of the players' character
to come back from their equalising goal. against the run of play.
"If we are going to inside the play-off positions at the end of
the season we will have to finish the second half of the season with
more points than we collected in the first half. Confidence is high
at the moment and, although we have slipped down the table a bit
following the two postponements this month, we must look to take points
from our next batch of matches. I fancy our chances against side in
this League at the moment".
John Hollins, the new Rochdale boss, was understandably less enthused,
but tried to put a brave face on things, "The opposition don't allow
you get a win, but overall there were some good things to come out of
this game even though we got pulled around and we looked nervous. We
are trying to just add a few adjustments to the side, but when players
don't follow instructions it is always difficult.
"We don't want people to get carried away with losing a game. They
may think the season is over, thinking "Oh that's another one gone",
but there are times when, like today, the opposition play very well
and you cannot handle it. I've been here two weeks now and I'm trying
to bring something a little different into the side and I thought once
we got past scoring the equaliser we would go on and play a lot better,
which I thought we did.
"There were some good things in there, but defending is what football
is all about. You win trophies and championships on defending. If
you don't let a goal in and you score one, you win, it's as simple
as that".
- 26 December
Harriers Thrash Rochdale
Two goals from Bo Henriksen, and two more from Mark Blake and Dean
Bennett gave Harriers an excellent 4-1 victory over Rochdale at Aggborough
this afternoon. The visitors had one of the best away records in
the division, but that was shattered after just three minutes when
Henriksen struck. Blake scored with another header, all of his goals
have been scored this way, and Bennett scored for the sixth game in a
row. Scott Stamps picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and
will miss the game against Darlington on January 12.
- 22 December
Halifax Game Postponed
This afternoon's game against Halifax at The Shay has been postponed
due to a frozen pitch. The postponement wasn't made until nearly 1pm
when the Harriers supporters were entering Halifax and the team were
well en route also.
- 19 December
Larkin Staying For Season
Harriers have been boosted by the news that on-loan striker Colin
Larkin has been allowed to stay at the club for the rest of the season.
The 19-year-old striker has spent the last three months at Aggborough,
but Saturday's defeat at Exeter was set to be his last game until
Wolves manager Dave Jones decided to let him stay until May.
Speaking to the Official Wolves
website, Jones said, "I've agreed with Jan Molby that Colin can
stay for the season. They like him and rather than us have him back
and the lad just play in the reserves, he might as well continue learning
his trade by getting first team experience".
Harriers boss Jan Molby said, "We are delighted Dave Jones has
let Colin stay. Colin has played a big part in transforming our season
and I'm sure he will score more goals as he becomes more composed".
So far Larkin has scored three times in fifteen appearances.
- 17 December
Molby Upbeat Despite Defeat
Despite seeing his charges beaten by two poor goals after dominating
the game at Exeter on Saturday, Jan Molby remained in upbeat mood
afterwards. He said, "I was disappointed with the way we conceded the
two goals, but some of the football played this afternoon was as good
as anything we have produced away from home all season, particularly
in the first half.
"Until we presented them with the equaliser we were as comfortable
as you will ever see an away team. Exeter had three efforts all afternoon
and they scored from two of them. Apart from that it was all about
us and really the game should have been over at half-time. We had
enough clear-cut chances that should have been in the back of the net
and we should have been able to go home at half time with the three
points in the bag. Unfortunately individual errors in the second half
cost us the points. We said to the players at half-time that we didn't
feel Exeter were good enough to win it and that we would have to throw
it away. That's exactly what happened.
"We had to score that second goal and I'm sure that if we had we
would probably have gone on to score two more. People will look at
the result and think it's a bad one, but there are so many positives
from the performance. Without those individual mistakes we would have
obviously won the game and everybody would have said what a great away
performance.
"What I am concerned about is how we react to this defeat in the
context of another difficult away game next week. I will be looking
for the players to be as positive as they have been over the last few
weeks".
- 15 December
Harriers Robbed By Grecians
Harriers saw their winning run ended by Exeter at St James' Park
when two defensive errors gifted goals to the home team after Dean
Bennett had given Harriers the lead with his fifth goal in as many
games.
- 13 December
Exeter City Preview
Harriers are back in action again at last tomorrow with a trip
south to take on in-form Exeter at St James' Park.
It is three weeks since Harriers last played a League match,
beating Rushden 3-0, and boss Jan Molby has the tough task of making
sure the players are still on the top of their game having won the
last four matches.
Exeter themselves are on a run of good form and are unbeaten at
home since John Cornforth took over as manager earlier in the season.
City can also set a clubb record tomorrow: if they prevent Harriers
from scoring, they will record their sixth clean sheet in a row breaking
a record set in the 1972-73 season.
City are likely to name a team which shows only one change from
that which drew 0-0 with Dagenham in the FA Cup last weekend, their
captain Chris Curran returns from suspension.
Harriers will have Danny Williams available again along with Drewe
Broughton and Ian Foster after their suspensions, only Tony Bird is
still banned. The only major injury is that of Adie Smith who had
groin surgery last week and is expected to be out until February, Lee
Ayres had another run out in the Reserves at Macclesfield on Wednesday
but is unlikely to feature as is Parfait Medou-Otye who has a foot
injury.
Last season the game ended in a 2-1 victory for Exeter with Scott
Stamps being sent off in the last minute. For a full run-down of
previous Harriers v Exeter encouters, click here.
I expect Harriers to line-up as follows: Brock, Clarkson, Stamps,
Blake, Hinton, Sall, Larkin, Williams, Broughton, Henriksen, Bennett.
- 12 December
Webb Linked With Manager's Job At Bromsgrove
Veteran Harriers utility player Paul Webb has been linked with the
vacant manager's position at fallen local rivals Bromsgrove Rovers.
Webb is one of a number of players at Harriers who will be out of
contract at the end of the season, and it is likely that he will not be
offered an extension having not figured in the team at all this season.
Bromsgrove are, of course, one of his former teams he left them for
Harriers in the summer of 1994. Steve Daniels was in charge at the
club as Director of Football, and had already added two new faces to
the backroom staff this week in the shape of ex-Stourbridge boss Mark
Harrison and former Willenhall Town manager Martin Thomas, but all three
have left the club "By mutual consent".
Webb may relish the chance to take control of one of his former
clubs, particularly as his chances are limited at Harriers, although
there is also likely to be a fair amount of interest from Conference
clubs as a player should he become available.
- 12 December
Harriers Complete Appleby Signing
Harriers will tomorrow complete the signing of Richie Appleby on a free
transfer from Swansea City after his successful loan period.
The 26 year-old midfielder has agreed to join until the end of the season,
and then in the summer negotiations will take place with a view to extending
the deal. This is the second time that Jan Molby has signed the player
having taken him from Ipswich to Swansea when he was in charge at The Vetch.
Harriers boss Molby said, "Richie is another piece in the jig-saw,
and this deal will enable both parties to have a further good look at
each other, and we can then sit down in the summer and discuss the future".
Appleby himself was pleased to be linking up with Molby or the second
time, "It's nice that Jan wanted me, it's the second time he's signed me
in my career, but it wasn't the real attraction. That was first team football".
He is also confident of Harriers' prospects for the rest of the season,
speaking to the Official Swansea website, he said, "We've got every chance
of reaching the play- offs, as from what I've seen in this league, there's
nothing to worry about in any team".
- 8 December
Stuart Brock Gets Contract Extension
Stuart Brock has become the second player this week to sign an
extension to his contract. Brock's new deal will keep him at the club
for another two years after his current one runs out at the end of the
season. Since Harriers gained promotion to the Football League, Brock
has been one of the club's most improved and consistent performers and
this deal is recognition of that fact by the management.
Boss Jan Molby told the Official
Website, "A lot of people thought we needed to buy a new goalkeeper
last summer but we put our faith in Stuart and that has played a big
part in his progression. He has done particularly well all season
and his confidence has grown. As a result we've rewarded him with a
new contract and that has given him piece of mind and a bit more
security. Stuart knows he still has a lot to work on and he can still
improve his game but in terms of goalkeepers in this division he has
been as good as anything I have seen this season. When you look at
the statistics you'll see only four teams in the entire Football League
have conceded less goals than us whilst we also have the best defensive
record at home…and Stuart has paid a big part in that".
- 7 December
Stewart Hadley Loaned To Local Rivals
Harriers striker Stewart Hadley has joined Dr Martens Premier Division
side Worcester City on a one-month loan.
Hadley has been the subject of interest for a number of loan move
recently, turning down Scarborough, Dover, Nuneaton and Halesowen
Town, but has finally agreed to switch to City.
So far this season he has barely figured in the first team, and is
also struggling to get a game in the Reserves, starting just five games
and failing to score. A month away is a good chance to find some form
and force his way back into the reckoning.
- 6 December
Dean Bennett Signs New Contract
"It was important we kept players like him" - Jan Molby
Dean Bennett has ended speculation about his future by signing
a new two-and-a-half year extension to his contract which will keep
him at the club until the summer of 2004.
Bennett has been one of the key performers in Harriers' recent
run of good form which has seen four wins in a row in the league,
goals for Bennett in each one, and Jan Molby named as Manager of the
Month.
The player was one of several that were placed on the transfer
list in January by Jan Molby following defeat in the LDV Vans Trophy
at Bury, now that Bennett has re-signed, only Tony Bird and Paul
Webb remain on the list. There are also 12 players with contracts
that expire at the end of the season, but Molby is not giving any
clues to their fates. The players in question are Tony Bird, Stuart
Brock, Ian Clarkson, Ben Davies, Peter Faulds, Ian Foster, Stewart
Hadley, Parfait Medou-Otye, Brendan Murphy, Mark Shail, Scott Stamps
and Paul Webb.
Jan Molby said of the decision to offer the contract, "Benno has
done very well lately, he wasn't doing himself justice earlier this
year but he has taken that criticism on board and is now making good
progress. I felt it was important we kept players like him. He is
still young enough to improve and he is the type of player we can
build the team around for the future".
- 5 December
Stourport Swifts Preview
Tonight sees the first ever meeting of Harriers and Stourport
Swifts in a competitive first team fixture when the Swifts visit
Aggborough in the quarter final of the Worcestershire Senior Cup.
Dr Martens League Western Division newboys Stourport are making
their debut in the competition as promotion from the Midland Alliance
also meant a step up from the Worcestershire Senior Urn where they
are used to facing our reserves. It will be a Harriers reunion as
Swifts are now managed by Tim Langford who last week was appointed
to take over from Rod Brown, and his side also includes Jan Mulders,
Simon Marsh, Adam Nicholls, Dave Davies, Adrian Hipkins and Adrian
Cooper.
Harriers will field a strong side as they have not played for
ten days, and don't play again for another ten. Danny Williams will
definitely be missing as he serves his one-match ban, and Adie Smith
should be out as he was due to have surgery on his groin injury today.
Jan Molby may make one or two changes to give some of the fringe
players a run-out and it is also a good chance to give some of the
promising youngsters a taste of the action. Foster, Ducros and Shilton
who have been performing well in the reserves may figure and they
could be joined by goalkeeper John Danby, defender Indie Khela and
striker Matt Reeves.
I don't expect too many changes to the starting line-up, however,
and predict the following line-up: Brock, Clarkson, Stamps, Blake,
Hinton, Sall, Bennett, Ducros, Broughton, Foster, Shilton.
- 3 December
Molby Named Manager of the Month
Harriers' run of four consecutive wins in the league through November
has been rewarded with Jan Mobly being named Manager of the Month.
This is the first time that Molby has won the award since Harriers
have been in the Football League and reflects their best run as a pro club,
doubling the club record for League victories. Bristol Rovers, Leyton
Orient, Lincoln City and Rushden & Diamonds have been dispatched, the only
blot on the month was the FA Cup reverse against Darlington.
The news should give Stourport confidence for Wednesday's Worcestershire
Senior Cup tie as the award is often seen as a "Kiss of Death" to those
who win it, often bringing to an end their run of form.
Speaking to the Harriers' Official
Website, Molby said, "Obviously I'm delighted to have won this award
but the credit has to go to the players whose efforts have meant we remained
unbeaten in the league last month. We had some very difficult games in
the league last month and we've done well to win them all".
- 3 December
Cup-Tie Brought Forward
The Worcestershire Senior Cup tie against Stourport has been
rearranged. Only last week it was anounced that it would take place
on January 8, but in light of the current lack of First Team fixtures
it has been brought forward to this Wednesday. This will benefit Danny
Williams as he is due to miss the next fixture through suspension, and
he may be the only regular missing.
It is a week of Cup action as both the Reserve and Youth teams
are in action tonight. The Reserves travel to Westfields of Hereford
in the Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup quarter final while the Youth team
entertain Redditch in the Floodlit Youth League Cup at Bromsgrove.
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