A look back at the trip to the title chasers
By Matty Paddock - 06/12/2025
Posted 3 hours ago
HARRIERS earned an excellent and deserved 2-1 win away at title chasing South Shields on Saturday.
A dominant showing from start to finish saw Adam Murray’s men deservedly ahead at the break through David Davis’ goal – Kam Kandola doubling the advantage late on.
The hosts did pull a goal back deep in added time but, barring a couple of smart saves from Christian Dibble in the first half, the win was achieved with minimum fuss and a solid defensive showing.
An energetic start saw Harriers threaten inside five minutes. A quick break opened space for Ashley Hemmings, who arrived onto a cut back and guided an effort just wide from 18 yards.
The pressure continued on nine minutes when a precise pass sent Joe Foulkes charging forward; he picked out David Davis with a smart pull-back, and the midfielder saw his rising strike clear the bar.
South Shields responded on 19 minutes with efforts from Paul Blackett and Daniel Dodds, both held or blocked well by Dibble, who stayed alert. Harriers soon re-established control and, after working the ball neatly inside the area on 20 minutes, Charlie Cooper sent a curling effort narrowly over.
A double change was required on 27 minutes when Cooper and Jordan Tunnicliffe were forced off after an accidental collision, bringing Kam Kandola and Emeka Obi into the action. The reshuffle did nothing to slow Harriers’ rhythm. On 33 minutes, Hemmings pounced on a loose ball following a spill from the goalkeeper, only for Ethan Mann to block his goal-bound strike on the line. From the resulting corner, Obi climbed highest and sent a header just wide.
Harriers were denied on the line again a minute or so later. Reece Devine steadied himself inside the box and struck firmly, beating the goalkeeper, but this time Robbie Tinkler was back to clear. Moments later, Obi nodded down for Ryley Reynolds, whose effort flew over from close range.
The breakthrough arrived on 41 minutes and was fully merited. Reynolds delivered a sweeping free kick that Davis attacked superbly, placing a confident header past Tom Watson to give Harriers the lead.
Before the half closed, Owen Evans picked out Hemmings with an inviting cross but the forward’s header climbed over, while Dibble produced a strong save to deny Blackett at the other end as the marksman latched on to a ball forward and threatened with the hosts’ biggest chance of the half.
Harriers looked just as sharp after the restart. A high press on 53 minutes won possession in an advanced area, allowing Devine to slip in Reynolds, who drove a low effort on target that Watson saved at his near post.
Soaking up plenty of pressure but without conceding a raft of chances, the visitors stayed composed throughout the half, creating another opening on 72 minutes when a free kick flashed narrowly past Hemmings before Kandola advanced onto a loose ball and forced Watson into a stop from distance.
Hemmings continued to threaten and, on 85 minutes, worked room on the edge of the area before striking firmly, only for Watson to hold into his chest.
The second goal arrived in memorable style on 87 minutes. Kandola collected the ball inside the area, showed outstanding footwork to dance past multiple challenges, and buried a crisp finish to double the advantage.
Shields pulled one back deep into added time when ball in the area was forced over the line by Dillon Morse, but Harriers saw out the final moments with confidence to secure a thoroughly deserved victory on the road.
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