HARRIERS produced a thoroughly professional display on the road to secure a 3-1 victory at Radcliffe, delivering a performance that ultimately got the result it deserved.
There were moments that required resilience, particularly defensively, but even with a late goal back for the hosts, the outcome rarely looked in doubt as Harriers controlled the contest for long periods. The win was seen out thanks to goals from Brayden Johnson, Kieren Donnelly and Ryley Reynolds.
At the outset, an early effort from Tyler James on seven minutes was well dealt with, Rhys Lovett gathering after the shot was blocked, before Harriers began to find their rhythm in the final third.
Kieren Donnelly was lively throughout and showed his intent on 13 minutes, taking the ball down neatly before driving into the area and forcing Mark Halstead into a smart save.
Lovett was called upon again on 21 minutes to hold Danny Greenfield’s free kick, and Radcliffe saw a driven ball flash across goal shortly after, but Harriers were beginning to assert themselves.
The breakthrough arrived on 25 minutes. David Davis appeared to be fouled on the edge of the area, but Harriers played to the whistle and worked the ball wide through George Walker, whose cross was controlled and finished calmly by Brayden Johnson.
Harriers doubled their lead on 33 minutes with a moment of real quality from Donnelly. Alert to the opportunity, he intercepted inside the area before bending a composed finish around Halstead to make it 2-0.
Donnelly almost added a third before the break, lifting an effort over the advancing goalkeeper, but Halstead did well to recover and ensure it did not quite have the momentum to find the net.
After the interval, Harriers continued to carry a threat. Josh Robinson drove forward impressively on 50 minutes, with the ball eventually falling to Ryley Reynolds, whose powerful strike was well saved.
Radcliffe threatened sporadically, with a free header on 56 minutes drifting wide, but Harriers remained in control and looked the more likely to extend their advantage.
A big chance arrived on 65 minutes as Johnson struck the post from the edge of the area, with Davis following up only to see another effort saved low by Halstead.
The third goal came on 74 minutes and effectively sealed the points. Donnelly again was at the heart of it, driving across the area before teeing up Reynolds, who was on hand to tap home from close range.
Adam Murray’s side made changes soon after, with Donnelly and Reynolds withdrawn, before Kam Kandola was introduced in the closing stages.
Radcliffe did pull a goal back on 84 minutes, Lovett tipping a cross onto the bar before Rick Smith bundled in from close range, but it proved little more than a late consolation.
Harriers saw the game out comfortably from there to secure another important three points with a composed and controlled performance.
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