Search to replace Martin Riley begins

Kidderminster Harriers today began the search for Martin Riley's replacement in the heart of defence after the centre-half joined Cheltenham at the weekend.

A swift conclusion to the 21-year-old's two-year stay was reached behind-closed-doors at Aggborough on Friday afternoon, with Riley compensating the club out of his own pocket to allow him to become a free agent.

The former Wolves trainee was out-of-contract but under 24, entitling Harriers to a fee, which was the stumbling block to re-joining former Aggborough boss Mark Yates at the Football League club.

As expected, Yates came in and signed the player to a one-year contract on Saturday, in time to play in the afternoon's friendly game against Gloucester - and lose three teeth in the 5-0 win after a blow to the face.

Meanwhile, Harriers were losing 3-2 at Nuneaton in their third pre-season friendly - all defeats - but the game was overshadowed by what looks to be a fairly serious injury to trialist James McPike.

The young striker left Liberty Way on crutches and unable to put any weight on his left knee, after his studs appeared to get stuck in the ground as he made his way into the area three minutes from time.

Early signs suggest it could be torn ligaments, which would sideline the 22-year-old for a number of months and likely put paid to his chances of a deal with Harriers.

But it was a better day for trial winger Kevin Holsgrove, who - along with David Hankin on the other flank - drew praise from assistant boss Gary Whild after catching the eye on the left.

He said: "It was nice to get those lads involved in the final third with some balls into the box.

"We did some stats in the first half and the amount balls going into the danger area from out wide was a massive positive.

"I thought we created a lot more in the game and could probably have had a few more goals than we did."

Former Harriers favourite Dean Bennett, released by the club this summer after two spells with a total of six years at Aggborough, played for Stafford Rangers in their 1-0 pre-season win over Hednesford on Saturday.