Recap: Buxton 1-3 Harriers

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HARRIERS produced an outstanding away performance to claim a deserved 3-1 victory at Buxton.

It was arguably a complete display at The Tarmac Silverlands, Adam Murray’s side leading through a superb Seb Thompson free kick before regaining the advantage on the stroke of half-time thanks to a spectacular finish from Ryley Reynolds. Amari Morgan-Smith added a third after the break to secure an impressive three points.

Harriers began brightly and almost took the lead early on when Charlie Cooper struck a powerful free kick on 11 minutes, though his effort flew straight into the chest of Buxton goalkeeper Paul Cooper.

The hosts responded on 15 minutes when Ashton Mee’s long-range effort skipped awkwardly on the surface, but Christian Dibble reacted well to scoop the ball away.

Harriers soon began to take control of proceedings. On 19 minutes, a deep cross from Reece Devine was met by a superb header from Kieren Donnelly, only for Cooper to produce an excellent save low to his right to keep it out.

Six minutes later Harriers threatened again from a corner, the ball bouncing dangerously in the six-yard box before Cooper reacted quickly with his foot to deny the visitors once more.

The breakthrough arrived on 26 minutes and it was a moment of real quality. Thompson stepped up to a free kick more than 20 yards from goal and delivered a superb strike, arrowing the ball beyond Cooper and into the net to give Harriers a deserved lead.

Harriers almost doubled their advantage moments later. Donnelly charged forward on 29 minutes, keeping the ball in play before cutting inside and crashing a powerful effort against the crossbar from a tight angle.

Another excellent chance followed just a minute later when Reynolds weaved his way through the Buxton defence, stretching to shoot only to see his effort trickle narrowly wide of the far post.

Despite Harriers’ dominance, Buxton found a leveller on 37 minutes with one of their few attacks of the half. Johnny Johnston drilled a low ball across goal and the delivery took a deflection, sending the ball beyond Dibble who was left wrong-footed.

Harriers responded superbly and regained the lead deep into first-half stoppage time. Good pressure from Donnelly forced the ball loose for Thompson whose effort deflected kindly into the path of Reynolds, and the forward produced a brilliant scissor kick to fire Harriers back in front.

Harriers continued to defend superbly after the restart while still looking dangerous going forward.

Buxton threatened on 49 minutes when Max Bardell advanced and struck from the edge of the area, though his effort drifted wide. Connor Kirby also tried his luck from a free kick on 65 minutes, but the effort ballooned high over the crossbar.

There were changes for Harriers on 68 minutes as Richard Faakye was forced off after a heavy knock, with Pierce Bird introduced. Thompson also made way for Morgan-Smith, while Cooper was replaced shortly afterwards by David Davis.

Harriers then sealed the result on 75 minutes with a well-worked move. Devine drove a dangerous ball across the area, Donnelly got the vital touch to divert it into the path of Morgan-Smith and the striker calmly fired home from close range to make it 3-1.

Buxton continued to battle but Harriers remained solid defensively and looked the more likely to add further goals.

Deep into stoppage time, Devine nudged the ball into the path of Donnelly who raced through on goal, though substitute goalkeeper Joe Young produced a smart save to deny him on what would have been a deserved debut goal.

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