Brown encouraged by Mickleover signs

---

PHIL Brown saw ‘plenty of pleasing signs’ from his Harriers charges despite a first summer defeat to Mickleover on Saturday.

The pre-season campaign continued at the Don Amott Arena at the weekend as the visitors were beaten 2-1 despite creating many of the game’s opportunities.

Speaking shortly after, the boss reflected on the performance of a largely young Harriers side, saying: “There were still plenty of positives.

“Supporters can always attach a game to the result at the end of it and, if they weren’t at the game, they’ll not see or feel the positives I felt.

“I think some of the young lads have got a huge chance of playing a huge part of this season’s success.

“There were some very pleasing performances. We went with an Under 25s team to an extent, with the exception of Paul Downing I should imagine.

“The rest of them were fairly young and I got some really good pictures… there were a lot of pleasing signs.”

The Harriers leveller was as a result of a good link up between new signing Maz Kouhyar and Ashley Hemmings, both of whom left their mark on Brown.

He went on to say: “Maz Kouhyar came on at half time and showed a lot of good ability, he made the goal for Ashley Hemmings who, again, showed me what a fit lad he is for his age.

“He can also play down the middle which, I think, I can honesty say, playing down the middle as a number nine or a number ten is his best position.

“Last year I was playing him left wing back, right wing back, right wing, left wing, anywhere other than down the middle so, again, it’s coming together.”

In an update on some absentees from the weekend, the Manager confirmed Jack Lambert was rested to allow a hip flexor injury to ease.

“I think some of the young lads have got a huge chance of playing a huge part of this season’s success.” Phil Brown

Luke Summerfield was given the weekend off with a non-football matter, while David Davis is carefully managing a knock to the groin.

“Digger felt his groin and didn’t play any part in the game,” Brown confirmed.

“As an experienced guy, he is just making sure he’s going to be available for the game on the 10th of August.

“He’s had a good, long year out of the game and doesn’t want that to be affected by whether he’s running through a brick wall to play, or whether he’s using his head.

“I think he’s using his head. I think he’ll play some part in the games in midweek and certainly next Saturday.”

---

---