By KJ
March 15 2004

Breif report on the Orient draw, which saw another inept display by a FL referee. Mr Tanner did give Harriers a penalty though, at the 3rd attempt. Plus news of a departure and details on tomorrows game against Scunny.

Orient 1 Harriers 1 (brief report)

Again apologies for report but I was back a little late on Saturday and had a busy Sunday. Anyway a useful point in the end as the Harriers didn’t perform as well as their previous 2 games. Harriers welcomed back Matt Gadsby into defence and he slotted in at right back with Hinton moving over to the left to replaced the banned Scott Stamps. It was quite a poor half really for Kidder. Gadsby went off injured, a victim of an appalling tackle and the O’s took the lead through an Alexender header. Harriers best effort fell to John Williams who headed over from close range whilst Dean Bennett could have claimed a penalty. He was just caught by an O’s defender but chose to stay on his feet, whether the ref saw it, god only knows with another fool in charge.

Brisbane Road, after Saturdays game.

Harriers enjoyed a better 2nd half although there was a bit of argy bargy which resulted in 2 red cards. Harriers had a goal disallowed (correctly ) after Yates clattered the keeper Morris and Murray slotted home. there then followed a mass brawl which saw Orient’s Hunt and Kidder’s Keates sent off. Ii just looked like handbags really and was difficult to pick anyone out. Mind you, Hunt should have walked in the 1st half for the challenge on Gadsby. Harriers sent on big Jesper for Foster as they looked for the equaliser. Harriers then should have had a penalty when Sean Parrish was upended by keeper Morris, who later endeared himself to harriers fans further by feigning injury in a bid to get Yates sent off. Amid this, ref Steve Tanner decided to book all and sundry before eventually Harriers got a penalty at the 3rd time of asking. John Williams did well to get behind the defence and took it round Morris before being hauled down. Tanner gave the pen and booked Morris. OK I don’t like seeing red cards, but with consistency he should have walked. Mark Yates took control with Foster off and netted the spot kick. After that both sides had chances but in the end a fair result, as Harriers did ok and Orient weren’t much cop either. as for Tanner, I will keep my options open and describe him as a perinea (bit of blue, for the dads there!).

News Betts departs

Harriers have today released midfielder Rob Betts, who has failed to hold down a place under Jan Molby. Good luck for the future Rob.

Harriers take on Scunthorpe tomorrow, with a 7.30pm kick off. Scott Stamps should return from suspension whilst Matt Gadsby is a doubt. Not sure if I’m going yet, a bit difficult mid week, anyway lets hope we can make it 4 games unbeaten. Even better would be our 1st win at Scunny, which is long overdue.