A look back at Saturday’s win….
By Matty Paddock - 03/01/2026
Posted 3 months ago
HARRIERS picked up a fully narrow but deserved 1-0 win over Curzon Ashton at Aggborough to kick off 2026 with a victory.
The success rewarded a strong second-half showing after weathering early pressure from the visitors – in the end David Davis struck the all-important goal.
Curzon started brightly and had the better of the opening exchanges, forcing Harriers to rely on some important early work from Christian Dibble.
Inside seven minutes, Brad Holmes broke through as the flag stayed down, but Dibble stood tall in a one-on-one to make a key save.
The goalkeeper was called upon again on 22 minutes when Holmes found space to meet a delivery into the area, Dibble holding securely.
Harriers might’ve actually had the lead before those chances. On three minutes, Reece Devine delivered a teasing cross from near the by-line that dipped late and struck the inside of the far post before Curzon scrambled clear.
As the half wore on, Harriers grew into the contest. Devine went for goal on 29 minutes but could not quite settle himself, while Ashley Hemmings later picked out Ryley Reynolds with a deep cross, the header lacking power and drifting wide.
Charlie Cooper also drove across goal on 38 minutes, his effort pulling just past the far post.
The second half belonged firmly to Harriers, who played with greater tempo and control.
Joe Foulkes tested Callum Hawkins from range on 50 minutes before providing a dangerous delivery four minutes later that Hemmings met well, the header rising just over.
The breakthrough arrived on 56 minutes. Curzon failed to deal with a ball dropped into the six-yard box and David Davis reacted sharply, spinning and tucking home from close range to put Harriers ahead.
The hosts continued to press and it might well have been two goals in three minutes as the energetic Owen Evans showed composure to bring the ball down in the area on 59 minutes, his low effort well held by Hawkins.
Reynolds later saw a powerful effort blocked after the ball fell kindly to him in the box, before Curzon’s first real second-half opening came on 76 minutes when Ben Darby met a header, but Dibble was again well positioned to take comfortably.
At the other end, Davis almost doubled the lead late on, shooting low on the angle in the 84th minute, only to be denied by a smart stop from Hawkins’ outstretched leg.
The win was secured against a backdrop of pressure in added time, but Dibble was never called into significant action with much of his crucial work done early.
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