A look back at Saturday’s opening day win…
By Matty Paddock - 09/08/2025
Posted 2 months ago
HARRIERS opened their 2025/26 Enterprise National League North season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Scarborough Athletic at Aggborough.
The game began with early disruption for the hosts as Dan Mooney was forced off through injury inside the opening ten minutes, Zanda Siziba coming on in his place.
Harriers quickly regrouped, though, and took the lead on 12 minutes. After good work by David Davis. Siziba’s driven ball across the face of goal reached Reece Devine at the far post, the defender timing his run perfectly to slam home from close range.
Chances followed at both ends in an evenly contested first half. Christian Dibble was largely untroubled, while Harriers worked openings through the lively Jason Adigun. Jack Clarke threaded Siziba in on 22 minutes for a close-range shot saved well by Ryan Whitley. Adigun twice went close later in the half – turning sharply to fire over before finishing neatly from a Devine pass, only to be flagged offside. His best sight of goal came on 42 minutes, driving forward and unleashing a powerful strike from 25 yards that Whitley pushed away.
Scarborough’s most dangerous moment before the break came via Richie Bennett, whose angled effort zipped across goal and wide.
Harriers started the second half brightly. Siziba cut in to send a low effort just past the far post before Devine’s persistence in a crowded area saw a shot held by Whitley. Kurt Willoughby’s curling free-kick soon after was also gathered by the visiting goalkeeper.
At the other end, Dibble remained alert, while Harriers kept pushing for a second. Joe Foulkes showed great determination down the right on 69 minutes to dig out a cross, Adigun stretching to head narrowly wide. The hosts made a triple change soon after, introducing Kam Kandola, Ryley Reynolds and Amari Morgan-Smith.
Scarborough’s Harry Green blazed over when well-placed in the closing stages, before Luke Spokes – on for Clarke – almost added the ideal gloss in style with a dipping, swerving strike from distance that flashed just wide.
Harriers saw the game out with enough composure to claim three deserved opening-day points, Devine’s early finish proving the difference on day one, a new era beginning on the right note.
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