Harriers' high hopes for striker buys

Kidderminster Harriers management today claimed their 'triple threat' of strikers could surpass the heights of their previous punts from semi-pro football.

Harriers paid transfer fees to bring in Marvin Johnson, Anthony Malbon and Ryan Rowe - who was a five-figure buy - since the turn of the year.

And assistant boss Gary Whild believes they are already well on the way to following the likes of Matthew Blair and Jamille Matt before them.

Blair left for York last summer but won an England C cap in just one season at Aggborough, after stepping up from part-time AFC Telford.

Matt - still at the centre of an immigration storm - was called up last month, less than 18 months after playing part-time for Sutton Coldfield Town.

The 22-year-old was also the subject of three bids from Football League club Northampton in December and is Harriers' top scorer with 12 goals.

Johnson, Malbon and Rowe are now adapting to the full-time game after moves from Romulus, Newcastle Town and Stourbridge respectively.

But Whild today revealed he's rates their progress as further along than the success stories before then.

He said: "The three strikers that we brought in are not so much for this season, although they have all contributed.

"They are going to be good for the club long-term and Malbon has already contributed, with five goals.

"The likes of Matthew Blair and Jamille Matt have proved it can be done and these lads are very similar.

"In fact, I would say that these three lads are well ahead of where they were, if you look at them at the same time.

"They are going to be exciting for the club over the duration of the deals they have signed."