Constable is Harriers' hero

Former Walsall striker James Constable hammered a hat-trick as Kidderminster produced their best home performance for a long time.

The Aggborough hitman struck in the 27th, 59th and 63rd minutes and also provided the opening for midfielder Russ Penn to notch his second goal in successive matches.

Constable was in lethal form to complete his second hat-trick for Harriers - the first being last season when he cracked three goals against Vauxhall Motors in an FA Trophy first round replay.

The last time Kidderminster celebrated having a hat-trick hero in a league encounter was in February 2003 when Bo Henriksen achieved the feat in a 5-2 victory at Exeter.

And on Saturday the Grecians came in for another thumping after arriving at Aggborough on the back of an unbeaten start to their season.

Constable, however, wrecked their run with a deadly display which ended mid-table Harriers' miserable home record.

Indeed, the previous time they had won at Aggborough was during the latter stages of last season when they triumphed 2-0 over Northwich Victoria in the semi-final first leg of the FA Trophy.

Constable began making his presence felt when he fired in the rebound after a shot from striker partner Justin Richards had hit the foot of the post.

After hard-working Richards had a shot cleared off the line, Constable turned goalmaker in the 41st minute when he sent over a pin-point cross for Penn to add to the winner he scored in the 1-0 win at Rushden & Diamonds.

Penn also had a shot smash against the bar in the early part of the second half before Constable made it 3-0 by heading home a Jonny Harkness cross.

He completed the rout shortly afterwards to give Harriers a major confidence booster confidence ahead of tomorrow's trip to Farsley Celtic.

During the closing stages boss Mark Yates made a number of substitutions, including the 80th minute introduction of former Aggborough midfielder Dean Bennett who has returned on a three-month loan from Chester City.

But by the time he entered the fray Harriers had secured a comprehensive victory which erased memories of their previous two home games this term when they lost to Aldershot Town and Stevenage Borough.

Kidderminster: Bevan; Kenna, Creighton, Whitehead, Harkness; Penn (Bennett, 80), Hurren, Ferrell, Blackwood; Constable (Barnes-Homer, 75), Richards (Christie, 75). Subs not used: Coleman, Bignot.

Exeter: Marriot; Friend (Elam, 53), Edwards, Taylor, Tully, Gill, Artus (Cozic, 69), Moxey; Mackie, Stansfield, Logan (Basham, 65). Subs not used: Jones, Richardson.

Referee: Gary Sutton (Lincs).

Attendance: 1,860