HEAD coach Matt Gardiner insists Harriers’ young guns must consistently live up to Tuesday’s rip-roaring standards before getting any big ideas.
Kidderminster mercilessly thrashed Tamworth’s Lambs 6-0 with the man-of-the-match Elton Ngwatala among several emerging talents to shine, writes Andy Mitchell.
The performances could not fail to have caught the eye of interested onlookers but Gardiner was keen to play down any hype and argued his Reds would be best served by bringing on their game at Aggborough.
Gardiner told the Shuttle: “After a display like that from a young group of players, there is always going to be interest.
“If someone has an opportunity to further their career and develop at a higher level, who is going to stand in their way?
“But it is about doing things consistently and a lot of the guys are still new to first-team football and have a lot to learn.
“What a place this is to play football in front of an amazing set of fans.
“There is a phrase about whether the grass is greener on the other side but we have to make sure these lads deliver performances week after week. Only then can you start talking or thinking about things like that.
“The group is very young, we have several players under the age of 23 who are getting their chance to play here and it is about finding consistency.
“Elton was one of many players who performed well. When it comes off, it is great but there is more development in a lot of them yet. Our job is to keep trying to do the right things.”
Tamworth return to Worcestershire for an FA Cup second qualifying round tie on Saturday (3pm) with Gardiner anticipating an entirely different clash.
“I know a lot of the Tamworth lads and they are a proud group of professionals,” he added.
“Irrespective of this result, we have to be prepared but we always are. It will be a totally different game on Saturday, I have no doubt about that.
“Things came off for us but the movement has been there for a weeks without us managing to finish off the chances.
“No-one is getting carried away. We lost at Telford only a week ago so as pleasing as it was to move the ball so well and convert our chances, we must focus on one match at a time.”
The winners will receive £4,500 in prize money with just two rounds separating them from the proper rounds of the competition.
Meanwhile, chairman Colin Gordon has announced plans to hold one-on-one meetings with supporters by appointment.
Harriers fans with questions or ideas can book a slot with the Aggborough chief by emailing Gordon at: chairman@harriers.co.uk
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