COACH Kevin Phillips could not hide his pride after watching youthful Harriers lift the Worcestershire Senior Cup.

Harriers edged out a strong Redditch United side 4-2 on penalties after an evenly-matched 90 minutes at the Victoria Ground.

Kiddy kept their faith with the young players who had defeated Stourbridge and Evesham United in previous rounds, playing the likes of James Hancocks, George Forsyth, Jono Brown and Haden Smith.

Trialist Jordan Murphy also played as well as three other unnamed hopefuls.

“When you think that some of these lads are just starting in senior football and that they have played three games in six games against really tough competition, we’re really proud of them,” said Phillips.

“We make sure it is really competitive in training and they’re really buying into it and they are only going to grow from these experiences.

“There were quite a few of the lads making their debut last Monday against Stourbridge and it has been a cracking shift from the boys.”

Brown was the hero with two penalty saves in the shoot out and his displays in the competition may have earned him a deal at the club.

Phillips added: “Jono is a great character and we’re really pleased for him.

“Since he joined us last season he’s worked really hard. He’s trained with no rewards and no games but he’s kept going and we’re keen to help him get games and he’s been fantastic.

“He’s made some great saves in this run and he’s turned into a penalty saving machine.”

With so many young players looking to impress manager John Eustace, Phillips hinted the youngsters may go on loan.

He said: “A lot of the guys were making their competitive debuts this week so it would be a big step but not beyond them.

“The important thing is that they get games, it might be that they go to difference clubs to get experience.

“That is something I like to encourage my goalkeepers to do, there are things you can’t learn on the training pitch.

“They have started their first step and are going in the right direction.”