Kidderminster Harriers get opening day win in ‘proper football match’
It was not one for the purists, but Kidderminster Harriers boss Adam Murray was delighted with his side's opening-day win against Scarborough Athletic.
Defender Reece Devine got the game's decisive moment when he scored after 12 minutes from a deep cross from Zanda Siziba.
It was a hard-fought contest at Aggborough, with the visitors, managed by former West Brom midfielder Jonathan Greening, providing a stern test.
"The game panned out differently than how we planned," Murray said. "Watching them in pre-season, they went about things differently. We adapted. It is nice to be in proper football.
"It turned into a proper football match. It turned into a traditional National League North game where it became scrappy, and we had to do the ugly things. But it was a big three points.
"The goal was great, but I felt like we could have had another one or another two, from some good football.
"Scarborough were excellent from set plays on the weekend. They had some great delivery, but we dealt with it well.
"We put our bodies on the line when we had to."
In the Northern Premier League, Hednesford got off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory over Hebburn Town.
Dom McHale got the goal, five minutes after the interval, to give Gavin Hurren's men victory in the north east.
The team were led by assistant manager Lee Vaughan for the game with Hurren unwell.
In the same league, Rushall Olympic were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Warrington Rylands. Alex Moore gave the Pics the lead in the 27th minute when he headed home from Carter Lycett's pinpoint corner. After half-time Jordaan Brown was then sent off for Rushall, and the visitors pulled a goal back in the 51st minute through Jake Burton. They also went on to miss a penalty.
In the Southern Central Premier League, Halesowen Town were held to a 2-2 away at Leiston.
Yeltz defender Jak Hickman scored an own goal to give the hosts the lead before McKauley Manning fired Halesowen level. After the break, Charlie Wragg's goal saw them lead for the first time in the match, only for Joao Rangel to net 12 minutes from time to ensure the points were shared.
Manager Russ Penn said: "I am slightly disappointed because in the second half we were excellent, but after the first half performance, I am delighted.
"I think you take it. First game of the season, when you look at the scores, it is chaos, we are on the board. We are at home on Tuesday, and hopefully it will be a better first-half showing. That first half an hour we looked lacklustre and lethargic."
Stourbridge also got off to a winning start as they registered a 2-0 victory over Bury Town courtesy of two second-half goals.
Jez Abbey scored in the 65th and 75th minute to ensure an opening day victory.
