Finnigan frustrated by poor first half show (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Finnigan frustrated by poor first half show

8:03pm Monday 28th December 2009 in News

John Finnigan was disappointed by Harriers' poor first half display.

Harriers' caretaker manager John Finnigan felt Harriers paid the price for a lacklustre first half in Monday's 2-1 loss at Rushden and Diamonds.

The Aggborough outfit fell behind when Lee Tomlin pounced on an error by keeper Dean Coleman in the first half, before a fine second half strike doubled the home side's advantage.

Harriers rallied and pulled a goal back through Robbie Matthews but despite late pressure could not grab a leveller.

"We're disappointed today because of the result and the performance, particularly in the first half," commented Finnigan.

"The shout was from the linesman was that Dean [Coleman] handled it outside the box but played the advantage to stop him getting sent off really.

"If they'd have given the free-kick for the handball then Dean would have been sent off and the score would have remained 0-0 so either way it was bad news.

"It was a tough one to be honest but Rushden went in 1-0 up at half-time and deserved it.

"Their second was an absolute wonder goal, Lee [Tomlin] took a couple of touches around the box, flicked it over someone's head and banged it in the top corner.

"Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say when you're beaten by a goal like that there's not a lot you can do.

"If we had came and taken a point and avoided the first-half performance we'd have been quite happy but we didn't perform as well as we would have liked.

"We threw everything at them in the end and no one dropped their heads and that's one of the positives we can take from the game."

Finnigan has little time to mull over the loss as he prepares his team for a New Year's Day clash at Chester City (3pm kick-off).

The 33-year-old, who has seen his Harriers career hampered by a persistant groin injury, may play some part in Cheshire.

He said: "We fancy our chances every game if we play like we can, but if we put in a performance like the first half today it will be tough, whether it's at Chester or anyone else.

"I've been training for over a week so there's a possibility I may be available but we've not got any other injury worries.

"Gavin Caines got a bit of a knock on his shin but he came through the second half no problems so we've got no new injury worries at the moment."

The club will also be aiming to sort out the future of loan players Damian Spencer and Daniel Andrew.

Chester City will be the last game they play for the Worcestershire side, unlesss their loans from Kettering and Peterborough respectively were extended.

Luton hitman Ryan Charles had already left the club after being recalled by the Hatters ahead of their FA Cup clash against Southampton.

"We need to speak to the chairman about the loan players in the short term and see what we're going to do," said Finnigan.

"Certainly the loan players need to be tied up if they're going to stay."

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