Harriers Chase West Country double

Rovers next
By KJ
December 27 2003

after a hard fought win over Yeovil, Harriers will be looking for more crying into Cider, as they face Bristol Rovers at Aggboro. Hoepfully a larger crowd for tomorows game which kicks off at one o clock. Details plus Yeovil report

YEOVIL 1 HARRIERS 2 (a brief report)
Harriers grinded out an impressive win at Huish Park, to end high flying Yeovil’s 8 game unbeaten run. Jan made some changes, recalling John Williams and Graham Ward, whilst giving new man Lee Jenkins his debut.
For the 1st half Yeovil enjoyed most of the possession but really failed to threaten Brock in the Kidder goal, with Jackson’s wide bound header being their main threat. Harriers defender was rather lucky not to be dismissed early on. I myself was a bit “Wenger” (I didn’t see it !) but Hinton appeared to push Gall to the ground in an off the ball incident. The ref, Grant Hedgley booked both players as the yocal faithfull bayed for a red card. Sensible in a way, as Gall went down as if he’d been shot, but rules are rules. Hedgley went on to have a good game in a way, he didn’t get his book out as much as he could have done, although he didn’t impress the home fans as much. Mind you, he did owe us one, after his woeful display at Cheltenham in August.
Anyway, back to the action, and Harriers slowly but surely got more into the game, with Adie Smith going close with a header. Smith was then replaced by Gadsby, and it was Gadders who set up the opening goal. By this stage the weather was worsening and the former Mansfield man found himself free on the right. He sent in a superb centre for John Williams to touch home from close range, well, just about ! With the wet weather the ball looked like it might not go in. it stopped on the line and then just rolled over. Harriers went in 1-0 to the good.
During the interval, the weather worsened and it persisted down, perhaps if the pitch had have been like this beforehand, it may not have gone ahead. With the rain so bad, the Yeovil stewards, transferred all of the Harriers fans in the open terrace into the seats, a nice touch.
So with the ground very wet, both teams set out for the 2nd half. The game followed the same pattern really, with Yeovil trying to get back into the game and Harriers defended well and relied on breakaways. Eventually the Glovers drew level through Gall, who raced clear of the Kidder defence and shot past Brock from just inside the area. From then on it was anyone’s game and I would have gladly took a point at that stage. However Harriers still managed to create chances, with John Williams unlucky not to capitalise when the ball stuck in the goalmouth mud. Harriers did take the lead again, through Sean Parrish’s 3rd goal of the season. Harriers were awarded a free kick after a dreadful foul on Ward. Skipper Wayne Hatswell’s shot cannoned around the area before John Williams cut it back for Parrish to net from close in. at this stage I just knew that we’d scored, and didn’t know who’d got it.
From then on it was very Graham Norton (backs to the wall!) and Harriers just about held out for the win. Stuart Brock did make a few saves, the best being when he tipped a free kick on to the bar. After enduing 3 minutes, which felt like 10 of stoppage time, 3 points were ours and we’re up to 19th.
BRISTOL ROVERS NEXT
So it’s the Pirates next, as they journey to Aggboro tomorrow (28th Dec. ko 1.00pm) with Kidder looking for a West Country double. Harriers boss, Jan Molby, after ringing the changes against Yeovil, has indicated that he may make further changes tomorrow. Perhaps we might go for a more attacking line up with 3 up front, perhaps Rickards will get his full debut.