Amari: I won't let racists beat me (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Amari: I won't let racists beat me

8:00am Thursday 28th February 2013 in News By Peter McKinney

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers striker Amari Morgan-Smith has vowed not to let the racists beat him and keep on scoring goals.

The on-loan Macclesfield hitman was the victim of verbal abuse from an away fan during Saturday’s 3-1 win over Alfreton Town. Harriers reported the incident to West Mercia Police and the FA, who are both now investigating it.

The unsavoury moment also ruined the moment for the 23-year-old hitman, who had opened the scoring with his first goal for the club.

“It came as a shock when it happened but the lads just told me to keep my cool,” said Morgan-Smith. “It was Anthony Malbon who reported what happened.

“It’s just a shame that someone like that has to spoil things but it’s important not to let those people beat you.”

Harriers operate a zero tolerance policy and quickly contacted the authorities. They also asked fans for any information about the incident and have the full co-operation of Alfreton.

Morgan-Smith is now hoping his time at Aggborough does not come to an end, as his month-long loan finishes after Saturday’s home clash against Ebbsfleet.

Harriers have the option to extend the deal but it depends whether the Silkmen wish to re-call the forward.

The Wolverhampton-based hitman has started every game since joining the club.

He added: “I would love to stay at Harriers, they’ve got some really good players and are going for automatic promotion.

“I like that, it gives you something to aim for. At the moment I am not sure what the situation is with my future but I would like to stay.”

Meanwhile, manager Steve Burr says he will keep juggling his squad in order to keep his players fresh for their testing run-in. Harriers have risen to second in the Blue Square Bet Premier after victories over Alfreton and Nuneaton made it six wins in a row.

But the squad face a hectic eight-game period in March as they strive to maintain their promotion push.

“We’re doing our best to try and keep things as fresh as we can and keep picking a winning side,” said Burr.

“We’ve made it clear to the players we will need every single one of them but we want to keep everybody nice and fresh.

“Everybody wants to play and that is how we want it. “We’ve got some really tough games at Luton, Grimsby, Wrexham and Newport but every single match will be tough for us.”

They face two more testing clashes against teams at the wrong end of the table, entertaining second from bottom Ebbsfleet on Saturday (3pm ko), before going to embattled Gateshead on Tuesday night (7.45pm ko).

The midweek clash has been switched to York’s Bootham Crescent home because of the continuing problems staging matches at the International Stadium.

Meanwhile, Harriers missed out on bringing Rochdale striker Dele Adebola in on loan, with the former Birmingham City hitman opting for title rivals Wrexham instead.

•  West Mercia Police confirmed it is investigating a claim of racist abuse by a supporter during Harriers’ match with Alfreton on Saturday.

Wyre Forest District Inspector Paul Crowley said: “All such claims of racist abuse are taken very seriously and that is why we immediately launched an investigation after we became aware of the incident. That is ongoing but we do have positive lines of inquiry.”

Witnesses or anyone with information should call PC Sian Stockton at Kidderminster Police Station on the non-emergency number 101.