Harriers 0 WBA 0

Chris Oldnall reports

from Aggborough

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' fans had contented looks on their faces after watching last Saturday's friendly against a youthful West Bromwich Albion side at sun-soaked Aggborough.

They weren't treated to any goals and it certainly wasn't a thriller, but Harriers produced a display which suggested that boss Mark Yates is building a squad capable of making an impact in the forthcoming Conference campaign.

Although the game highlighted that the finished article is still some distance away, Yates and his assistant Neil Howarth can be satisfied with the healthy progress they are making.

Ronnie Wallwork, Nigel Quashie and Junichi Inamoto were the only senior professionals included in the Baggies squad, but their line-up provided a testing challenge for Harriers which they came through in encouraging style.

During the first half Yates' men were a handful for the Albion, but wholesale substitutions during the second period enabled the visitors to gain more possession.

Nevertheless, the Aggborough rearguard stood firm and a goalless draw was a fair scoreline, although the energy-sapping match was more about fitness levels than the result.

The various triallists Yates paraded did their best to impress with former Albion campaigner Brian Smikle, in particular, drawing attention to himself with a shot that hit the foot of the post in the first half.

He also was unlucky with another effort which West Brom goalkeeper Luke Daniels just managed to deflect away with his outstretched left boot.

Harriers new giant goalkeeper Scott Bevan also made an impression with three smart saves during the opening period in which Andy White managed to get the ball into the Baggies net, but referee Mick Fletcher disallowed the `goal' for an infringement in the build-up.

The entertainment level in the second half dipped with Harriers making several substitutions at various stages.

Among them was goalkeeper Steve Taylor who produced a fine save in the 69th minute to deny Joss Labadie.

The highest profile substitution, however, came in the 78th minute when Harriers sent on former Baggies goal king Bob Taylor.

His introduction delighted both sets of supporters in the 1,105 crowd which included a number of Albion followers who later in the afternoon were at Bescot Stadium to watch another West Brom squad beat Walsall 2-1.

Thirty-nine year-old Taylor was handed the chance to make a fleeting appearance by his friend Yates, who invited him to take part in what was described as "an informal arrangement".

Harriers: Bevan (S. Taylor, 46), Hurren, Blackwood (Edkins, 60), Whitehead (Preece, 60), Creighton (Walker, 78), McClen (Sedgemore, 46), Smikle (Sinclair, 60), Penn (Fitzpatrick, 60), White (Sturridge, 60), Reynolds (Eaton, 46, B. Taylor, 78), McGrath (Russell, 46).