Kidderminster Harriers assistant manager Neil Howarth was delighted to see his team record their second in three days by beating the U's 3-0 on Saturday.

The match was played in wet conditions on a heavily sanded surface but he paid tribute to the Abbey ground staff for making sure the game could go ahead, and to his players for their hard work.

"We're really pleased with the performance out there," he said. "The lads have worked really hard for the win and it's a great ending to a great week. It was a really heavy pitch and that was probably the last thing our lads wanted after three games in the previous seven days, but all credit to the ground staff here on getting it playable.

"I'm certain the home fans won't be saying that, but it's obvious they worked extremely hard to get the sand down and in the circumstances they produced a good surface."

It was the fourth game and the third win in seven days for Kidderminster, and Howarth admitted, "It's been a really long week - not just the matches but also the travelling, Exeter, Crawley and then here today so all credit though to the lads' fitness levels to get such a good performance and a win.

"Before this week you could worry about playing Saturday, Monday, Thursday and then again today, but the team is virtually picking itself at the moment and the confidence is sky high so we are happy to let the games keep coming."

Reflecting on the game itself, he revealed that the match was harder for Kidderminster than the 3-0 scoreline suggests: "We were under the cosh at times out there but I thought we created the better chances and took them well.

"Matthew Barnes-Homer caused the Cambridge defence all kinds of trouble and really deserved his goals, and Brian Smikle changed the game when he came on because Cambridge were getting on top, but they didn't seem to be able to cope with his energy.

"From the moment he stepped onto the pitch he gave them a torrid time out there and from the moment the second goal went in we didn't look like losing, however much possession Cambridge had, because they looked like a side that are having a blip in confidence."

However Howarth backed Jimmy Quinn and Willy Wordsworth to restore that confidence and he expects the U's to finish in the play-offs places.

"Despite the current run of form Cambridge are still more than capable of being part of the play-offs - they are in the top three or four sides we've played this season, even though we've won both encounters. Every team has its moments where things aren't going right and the important thing is how you come out of it.

"Jimmy and Willy are experienced enough to turn things round and I'm sure they will. The good thing for Cambridge - with our record against them - is they don't have to play us again this year!"

Interview by David Gray

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