A look back at Tuesday night’s action…
By Matty Paddock - 30/12/2025
Posted 4 months ago
HARRIERS signed off 2025 in emphatic fashion with a commanding 3-0 home victory over AFC Telford United at Aggborough.
The win extended the Reds’ run to six matches in all competitions, there was an immediate statement of intent, with Riley Reynolds winning possession and striding forward inside the first 30 seconds before dragging a low effort narrowly wide.
That early pressure continued and, on four minutes, Reece Devine reacted sharply to a loose ball and went for goal, forcing Josh Gracey into a superb reflex save to tip over the bar.
From the resulting corner, the breakthrough arrived. Emeka Obi, steadying himself inside the area, took a touch before slamming a powerful finish beyond Gracey to put Harriers ahead after five minutes.
Harriers remained in control and continued to ask questions. Ashley Hemmings tested Gracey from distance on 18 minutes, while a sweeping counter-attack on 31 minutes saw Hemmings slide the ball across to David Davis, whose low effort passed just beyond the foot of the post. Paul Kalambayi then found space in the box three minutes later, his angled shot held by Gracey as the pressure built.
The second half began in similar fashion. Within two minutes of the restart, Hemmings rolled Devine through on goal, only for the forward’s effort to be smothered by Gracey at close range.
The deserved second goal arrived on 55 minutes, and it was a moment of real quality. Charlie Cooper took his time on the edge of the area, picked his spot and buried a composed finish into the bottom corner to double the advantage.
AFC Telford’s first real sight of goal came on 58 minutes when Rhys Hilton tried his luck, but Christian Dibble was well positioned and gathered comfortably into his chest. It was as close as the Bucks would come.
Any lingering doubt was removed on 75 minutes. A superb cross was delivered right on to the boot of Devine by the influential Davis, the former swung a beautifully controlled, arrowed finish across goal and into the far corner to make it 3-0.
Late on, Harriers continued to show their intent. On 82 minutes, debutant Toby Onanaye impressed with quick feet on the edge of the area, his effort deflected behind for a corner, from which Kurt Willoughby sent a shot narrowly wide of the top corner.
In added time, Joe Foulkes showed excellent strength to hold the ball up before unleashing a rising strike that just cleared the angle of bar and post.
It was an outstanding all-round home performance, controlled from start to finish against in-form opposition but, with a fresh challenge coming in the form of Curzon Ashton on Saturday, Harriers will be determined to do all they can to keep up the momentum.
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