HARRIERS picked up a deserved 3-1 win over North Ferriby United on Saturday to keep up their sound National League North form.

Goals from George Waring, Joe Ironside and Lee Vaughan put the reds in total control, before a consolation effort put the hosts on the score sheet.

Harriers controlled the vast majority of the contest and, after Croasdale had seen a shot blocked, the visitors were ahead with 17 on the clock - Waring stretching superbly to turn in a flick on from O'Connor at a corner.

Three minutes later Ironside went close with a volley but would not be denied five further on as he got the decisive touch to a Vaughan delivery to put his team 2-0 up.

Only a superb save from home goalkeeper Durrant kept the score at two on the half-hour as he tipped over from Brown, before Croasdale's curling shot also kept him busy.

The home got their first serious chance just three minutes after the restart as Clappison looked to tuck home at close range only to be thwarted by Nathan Vaughan - before the goalkeer's namesake made it 3-0 to Harriers two after the hour, nipping into a gap in the area and lashing a volley into the far corner on the angle.

Weeks then tried his luck and saw an effort drop just wide of the post, before Ferriby began their best spell of the game, netting from a corner of their own through Mail's far-post finish.

That was with around a quarter of an hour left. After, Johnson and Lofts both went close to making it 3-2 - the latter striking the outside of the post with a fine attempt - but Harriers edged through that passage and finished the game strongly.

In the final few moments, a Waring chip and a fine run and shot from Brown almost added a fourth.

JOEL TAYLOR admits he’s happy to be putting a frustrating time behind him as he takes his place in the Harriers squad at North Ferriby United on Saturday.

The full-back, who penned a new contract with Harriers on Friday, has been out of action for a number of weeks after an illness followed injury to keep him on the sidelines.

He sealed a comeback with a few minutes off the bench at Spennymoor Town on Tuesday night, and is now setting his sights on more match time as the reds head north once again.

Speaking to our official YouTube channel, the former Stoke City youngster spoke about the struggle of battling through his time away from the team.

“It has been a hard few weeks, getting back into shape,” he said. “But I’m feeling ready for Saturday.

“It’s just frustrating because you can’t put a time limit on [being ill] and you just have to wait for it to die down.

“But I’m back now and have been training so I am looking forward to Saturday.”

The competition for places has been tough at the climax of this season, and during Taylor’s absence.

He added: “That’s what the team is for – players aren’t just there to make up the numbers, they are there to do a job if somebody else drops out.

“Everybody that has come in or come off the bench has obviously done a good job as we are where we are.”

Harriers head to North Ferriby to meet a United side who’ve already been relegated.

“Everybody that has come in or come off the bench has obviously done a good job as we are where we are.” Joel Taylor

That doesn’t guarantee anything other than a very tough day at the office for Harriers, though.

If anything, the team – after a change of management this season – have played only with more freedom as the end of the term has approached.

A run of just one defeat in five represented their best form of the season and came just weeks ago, during which they drew with Salford City and claimed wins against Bradford Park Avenue and Blyth Spartans.

Those results should serve as a warning, then, with Taylor stating: “They can obviously play with a bit of freedom because it’s granted that they aren’t going to be in the league this season.

“But we’ll have to go there and get the three points that we need to keep us where we are.

“We’ll treat it like any other game.”

Taylor’s return against Spennymoor lifted him from the treatment table at Aggborough, with Dan Bradley (hamstring) and James Pearson (knee) the only pairing still left in rehabilitation following recent injuries.

Kick-off at North Ferriby United on Saturday is at 3:00pm

WATCH: Joel Taylor’s full pre-match video interview courtesy of our YouTube channel by clicking the video tab above.

CHECK: The ticket and travel details for all you need to know ahead of the game.

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