Recap: Harriers 2-2 Buxton

---

HARRIERS and Buxton shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Aggborough on Saturday.

After the two teams negotiated a quiet opening portion of the game, it was Harriers who created the first chance of the day with 17 on the clock, True Grant down early to gather and hold from a low shot driven in by Maz Kouhyar.

Nine minutes later it was the Reds again looking to press and create; Caleb Richards the outlet on this occasion as his ball into the area was pushed into the path of Ashley Hemmings by Amari Morgan-Smith, Hemmings’ effort rolling low and wide of the upright.

The breakthrough came a further ten minutes along and it was no surprise to see Kouhyar at the point of it, Buxton unable to clear from relentless pressure as his far post finish from Richards’ cross glanced off Grant and into the net with a defender on the line unable to prevent it going in.

Moments later it was almost 2-0 as another delightful cross found its mark, Amari Morgan-Smith throwing himself towards the ball around six yards out, his downward header glancing wide of the post with Grant beaten.

Harriers, at that stage, really had the game by the scruff, and David Davis had two good openings to double the lead before the interval; he let fly from fully 25 yards with a fizzing effort that Grant touched over the bar, the resultant corner seeing the midfielder drive again, Grant this time down low to block the firm effort.

Harriers kept up their attacking intent early in the second half with Buxton doing well to block efforts from Hemmings and Morgan-Smith, before drawing level with their first attack of the day, Captain Connor Kirby racing in at the far post to slot home accurately as the ball was drilled across the area.

The hosts responded in superb style, though, and were at parity for barely four minutes before getting back ahead. Morgan-Smith looked to turn inside the area and was clearly pulled down, stepping up himself to blast his 12-yard effort beyond the hand of Grant and into the net.

Harriers then looked comfortable for a spell, but were pegged back once more with seven minutes of normal time remaining; sub Diego De Girolamo swivelling superbly and finishing past Dibble inside the area.

Neither side fashioned a serious chance in the minutes that remained to win it, and were left to share the loot for the afternoon.

Get full team line-ups and key match facts at The Match Centre.

---

---