Bromsgrove 0 Kidderminster 4

Victoria Ground

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers gave their fans an exciting glimpse of their potential and their manager a welcome selection headache during a comfortable victory at rivals Bromsgrove Rovers.

Jake Sedgemore, Michael McGrath, Scott Eaton and Bob Taylor got the goals as Harriers kept their successful pre-season programme rolling in style at Victoria Park.

On this evidence boss Mark Yates seems to have an embarrassment of riches in midfield, with his `substitute strikeforce' also giving him food for thought.

Again the only concern is the lack of cover for Jonny Harkness who was the only Harriers outfield player to complete the whole 90 minutes.

And although the latest right back triallists, Martin Naylor and Steve May, were steady enough neither man did enough to make the number two shirt their own.

But it is the form of the midfielders which must really be encouraging Yates and assistant Neil Howarth as the Conference season draws nearer.

If the two prove they can play together, Jamie McGlen and Russ Penn should be favourites to start the season in the centre of the park engine room.

McGlen showed his quality in bossing the game from midfield when he set up the opening goal with a killer ball to Jake Sedgemore on 15 minutes.

And Sedgemore himself advanced his own claims for a central berth by rattling a rocket into the top corner from 25 yards.

Penn pulled the strings after the break, producing a sublime measured ball for Michael McGrath to beat the offside trap and make it two on 62 minutes.

McGrath's fine form will give Yates another dilemma with the former Redditch man clearly beating Blackwood in the battle of the left wing Michaels.

Up front Eaton seems to be benefiitng from the wordly wisdom of Taylor in the promsing youth and experience partnership.

While Luke Reynolds and Dean Sturridge laboured slightly in the first half, Eaton and Taylor linked up well and both ended up on the scoresheet.

Eaton smashed in goal number three with a 30-yard screamer on 73 minutes, before Taylor's header off the underside of the bar completed the scoring seven minutes later.

Harriers' impressive ball retention wore their lower-league hosts down and on the rare occasions Bromsgrove threatened, Scott Bevan kept them at bay.

The giant stopper produced a full stretch tip over to keep out Kevin Banner's first half cross-shot and made a brilliant block to deny Riad Erraji after the break.

Taylor picked up a knock after accidentally colliding with McGrath, but both he and Andy White, who also had a slight strain, are now fit again.

Bromsgrove: Chris Taylor, (Dean Coleman 46), Chris McHale, Joe Williams (Carl Heeley 46), Paul Carty, James Smith (Liam McDonald 46), Kevin Banner, Daire Doyle (Paul Lloyd 65), Wayne Dyer, Mark Benbow (Riad Erraji 46), Nathan Lamey (Delton Francis 46), Richard Burgess.

Kidderminster

1st half: Scott Bevan, Steve May, Jonny Harkness, Neil Howarth, Stuart Whitehead, Simon Russell, Michael Blackwood, Russ Penn, Jake Sedgemore, Dean Sturridge, Luke Reynolds.

2nd half: Bevan, Martin Naylor, Harkness, Mark Creighton, Mark Preece, Brian Smikle, Michael McGrath, Jordan Fitzpatrick, Russ Penn, Bob Taylor, Scott Eaton.

Cinderford 1 Harriers 2

The Causeway

BOB Taylor might have been the talk of the town during his pre-season trial at Harriers - but it was namesake Steve who stole the show at Cinderford.

The former Telford keeper upstaged the veteran striker and goalscorers Jonny Harkness and Michael McGrath with a fine display including TWO penalty saves

After being given the nod over Scott Bevan, Taylor showed his class by stopping spot kicks in either half, although he was beaten from open play midway through the second half.

Harkness broke the deadlock against the Southern League side on 58 minutes when he used his sweet left foot to good effect to score from a free kick.

And McGrath doubled the lead on 70 minutes when he found the target after good play by Scott Eaton and Bob Taylor.

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Harriers have several dates for supporters' diaries over the coming weeks.

A sponsors' evening thanking businesses and individuals who have backed the club will be held in the Aggborough Suite from 5.30pm on Thursday, August 3. The event is by invitation only.

A forum giving fans the chance to quiz chairman Barry Norgrove and boss Mark Yates about their hopes for the new season takes place at the club on Thursday, August 10.

Tickets priced £10 including fish and chips are available from the club.

There is a quiz night at the Aggborough Suite on Friday, August 28, priced £20 per team of four.

Harriers also have hospitality packages available for Tuesday night's friendly with Coventry City.

For £20, fans will receive a two-course pre-match meal, half-time refreshments and admission to the match.