Matthew Blair told to keep it up

Kidderminster Harriers manager Steve Burr has told Matthew Blair to kick on from here after handing the winger a contract until the end of the season.

Blair's breakthrough to the team has been rewarded with a proper deal, after scoring three goals in four games since making his first start at Crawley.

The 21-year-old had been operating on non-contract forms since joining from the semi-professional ranks in the summer, having played for AFC Telford last season.

Harriers have been big on opportunity since Burr was appointed manager in January and that has continued into the season, with Ollie Thorne another brought in and given a chance, playing himself into a contract after coming into the team.

In fact, five of the 11 that started Saturday's 1-1 draw at Kettering were part-time footballers last season and have brought with them to Aggborough a real hunger to succeed.

Blair - son of former Villa and Coventry midfielder Andy - has been the latest success story as Harriers sit in the top 10 of the Blue Square Premier.

But boss Burr has warned the player not to rest on his laurels now.

He said: "Matty has worked really hard to earn himself something.

"You cannot always be in a position to dive in and throw contracts around but now, having stepped up, he has done tremendously well.

"But as we have said with Ollie Thorne and a few others, it is important that Matty keeps pushing on and doesn't sit back - that is the test.

"I'll be on his case all the time to keep doing that but he is someone who is hungry to play football and do well.

"He now has a bit of security which is good for him and us."