When Kidderminster Harriers hosted Buxton FC at Aggborough Stadium on Saturday, September 20, 2025, few expected the final whistle to bring not just a draw—but a heart-stopping, last-gasp twist that redefined the night. The Enterprise National League North match ended 2-2 after Max Bardell struck deep into stoppage time, canceling out what looked like a sure home win. With 3,015 fans packed into the Dy10 ground, the drama unfolded in real time: goals, cards, and a collapse that left the home crowd stunned.
A Strong Start, Then a Collapse
It began with promise for Kidderminster. In the 23rd minute, Amari Morgan-Smith buried a clinical finish past Buxton’s keeper, sending the home fans into a roar. The goal, captured in the Official Harriers YouTube highlights, was classic Harriers—quick transition, precise pass, cool finish. For a while, it seemed like the Reds were in control. But football, as they say, doesn’t care about momentum. Buxton, the underdogs from the Peak District, refused to fold.
Just after the hour mark, Luke Brennan equalized. Sources differ slightly—Sky Sports says 50th minute, Football Web Pages says 53rd—but the effect was the same. The away bench erupted. The home crowd fell silent. Then, almost immediately, Kidderminster struck back. Kurt Willoughby pounced on a loose ball in the box, slotting it home. Again, timing varies: Sky Sports says 53rd, Football Web Pages says 55th. Either way, it was the kind of goal that makes you think the game is over. 2-1. Harriers in command. Three points in sight.
The Twist No One Saw Coming
For 35 minutes, Kidderminster held firm. The midfield worked tirelessly. The defense stood tall. Even when Buxton pushed forward in the final ten minutes, the home side looked composed. Then, in the 90th minute, disaster struck. Reece Devine, a reliable fullback, slipped in a reckless challenge on the edge of the box. Referee Paul Mather showed him a yellow card at 90+5'. The crowd groaned. It was a foolish foul—and it came just seconds before the unthinkable.
From the resulting free kick, Buxton launched a long ball into the box. Kidderminster’s defense hesitated. The ball bounced once, twice—then Max Bardell, a 24-year-old winger who’d barely touched the ball all night, rose above two defenders and powered a header into the top corner. 90+6’. The stadium went quiet. Then, as one, the 3,015 fans realized: they’d just lost two points.
Reactions and Aftermath
"We were seconds away from three points," said Harriers manager Danny Wilson in his post-match interview. "We played well, we deserved more. But in this league, you pay for every mistake. And we paid for that one."
Buxton’s head coach, Andy Porter, was more measured. "We knew we had to stay patient. The lads never stopped believing. Max’s goal? That’s the spirit of this team. We travel 120 miles, play in a hostile ground, and walk away with a point. That’s progress."
The result leaves both teams in mid-table limbo. Kidderminster, who’d won their previous two home games, remain in 10th place. Buxton, who entered the match winless in their last four away fixtures, climb to 14th. In the National League North—the sixth tier of English football—every point is gold. One goal, one second, changes everything.
Visual Footprint of a Memorable Night
The match’s digital legacy is already forming. The Official Harriers YouTube channel uploaded highlights on September 21, 2025, under the title ‘HIGHLIGHTS | 20 Sept 25 | Harriers 2-2 Buxton.’ It’s already racked up 1,700 views. Buxton’s own channel, with a smaller subscriber base, posted their version the same day—‘MATCH HIGHLIGHTS | Kidderminster Harriers (A) | 20/09/25’—and hit 362 views. Both videos feature the same dramatic goal, but from different angles. Harriers’ version emphasizes Morgan-Smith’s opener and Willoughby’s strike. Buxton’s focuses on the equalizer, looping Bardell’s header on repeat.
On the club websites, the match is already being framed as a turning point. Kidderminster launched a "Goal of the Month - September 2025" poll, with Morgan-Smith’s opener and Willoughby’s finish as front-runners. But fans are already voting for Bardell’s equalizer—"The one that got away," reads one comment. "Worst kind of loss. We had it. We just… didn’t hold it."
What’s Next?
Kidderminster face a trip to Nuneaton Borough next Saturday—a team they beat 3-1 earlier this season. Buxton host Guiseley, who sit just above them in the table. Both sides know: if they want to climb, they can’t afford more late collapses. Or more late goals conceded.
The Enterprise National League North is brutal. No stars. No salaries. Just grit, geography, and goals that change lives. This match? It’s the reason people still show up on Saturday afternoons. Even when the weather’s cold. Even when the pitch’s uneven. Even when the final whistle feels like a punch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the match end 2-2 despite Kidderminster leading 2-1?
Kidderminster led 2-1 after Kurt Willoughby’s goal in the 53rd/55th minute, but Buxton’s Max Bardell scored a dramatic 90+6’ equalizer from a free-kick delivery. The goal came just seconds after Reece Devine received a yellow card for a reckless foul, leaving the defense exposed. The late strike denied Harriers all three points and secured a crucial draw for the away side.
What’s the significance of the Enterprise National League North?
The Enterprise National League North is the sixth tier of English football and serves as a critical stepping stone for semi-professional clubs aiming for promotion to the National League. With no TV money and limited budgets, every point matters. Matches like Harriers vs. Buxton—decided by a single goal in stoppage time—highlight the league’s unpredictability and the emotional stakes for players and fans alike.
How do the YouTube highlights reflect fan engagement?
Kidderminster Harriers’ highlight video, with 1,700 views in under a week, shows strong local support despite the result. Buxton’s version, with 362 views, indicates a smaller but passionate away following. The fact that both clubs uploaded content within 24 hours—and that Bardell’s goal is the most-viewed clip—underscores how dramatic late goals dominate fan memory, even in lower-league football.
Why do sources differ on the exact timing of the goals?
Discrepancies in goal times between Sky Sports and Football Web Pages are common in non-top-flight football due to variations in how stoppage time is recorded and when the referee’s whistle is officially noted. While Sky Sports uses real-time commentary timestamps, Football Web Pages relies on official match reports submitted by the referee. The difference of 2–3 minutes doesn’t change the outcome, but reflects the less precise timing systems used below the professional tiers.
What impact does this result have on Kidderminster’s promotion chances?
Kidderminster now sits in 10th place with 8 points from five games. Winning this match would have put them in the top six, within striking distance of promotion spots. Instead, the draw keeps them five points off the playoff zone. In a league where 15 teams compete over 42 games, losing two points in a home game against a team they were expected to beat is a significant setback.
Is Max Bardell’s goal likely to be nominated for Goal of the Season?
Absolutely. Bardell’s 90+6’ header, from a poorly cleared free kick, was a textbook striker’s finish—timing, power, and composure under pressure. Given the context—a last-gasp equalizer against the home side in front of 3,000 fans—it’s already a fan favorite. While the club’s official "Goal of the Month" poll hasn’t closed, early voting trends suggest it’s the frontrunner, and it could easily make the National League North’s end-of-season highlights reel.
