Harriers completed the 2003/4 campaign one place, and one point, above the Shrimpers in 16th position in the old Nationwide League Division Three courtesy of a 2-0 final day victory against Boston United at Aggborough. Danish boss Jan Molby, who experienced dismissal at Roots Hall after contending the penalty that left Kiddie 1-0 down after just five minutes, brought in Steve Burton from former club Hull City, as Iyseden Christie from Mansfield Town and Simon Brown of West Bromwich Albion on loan.
All looked rosy for the Black Country outfit as they drew their opening two fixtures 0-0 and then an Ian Foster penalty kick inspired a 1-0 home victory against Darlington. Thereafter, their form suffered as Stuart Roberts’ debut goal from Wycombe Wanderers in the first minute was cancelled out by two strikes from Mansfield Town and the club crashed out of the Carling Cup on penalty kicks after a creditable 1-1 draw with Cardiff City.
They lost 2-0 at home to the table-topping Chairboys before being thrashed 4-0 by Lancastrian side Bury at Gigg Lane. Leyton Orient arrived at Aggborough and stole a 2-1 win despite Foster’s opening goal from open play and a trip to the Vetch Field ended in a 3-0 defeat. However, just as the season looked to be falling apart, they gained a 1-0 win over high-flying Macclesfield Town at home, with Richie Appelby, another remnant of Molby’s spell in charge on the east coast, netting a late penalty to lift them from the foot of the League Two table.
Coca-Cola League Two |
07/08/04: Rshden & Diamonds (a) D0-0 10/08/04: Notts County (h) D0-0 14/08/04: Darlington (h) W1-0 (Foster [pen]) 21/08/04: Mansfield Town (a) L1-2 (Roberts) 28/08/04: Wycombe Wanderers (h) L0-2 30/08/04: Bury (a) L0-4 04/09/04: Leyton Orient (h) L1-2 (Foster) 11/09/04: Swansea City (a) L0-3 18/09/04: Macclesfield Town (h) W1-0 (Appelby [pen])
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F.A. Cup |
First Round draw yet to take place |
Carling Cup |
24/08/04: R1 – Cardiff City (h) D1-1 [L4-5 pens] (Brown)
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LDV Vans Trophy |
28/09/03: R1 – Bristol Rovers (a) |
2004/5 Records |
Matches Played: 10 (6 home, 4 away) Matches Won: 2 (2 home, 0 away) Matches Drawn: 3 (2 home, 1 away) Matches Lost: 5 (2 home, 3 away) Goals Scored: 5 (4 home, 1 away) Goals Conceded: 14 (5 home, 9 away)
Steve Burton, John Danby, Wayne Hatswell, Lee Jenkins - 10 Simon Brown - 8+1
Ian Foster (1 pen) – 2 Richie Appelby (1 pen), Simon Brown, Stuart Roberts - 1 |
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com