A GOAL in each half earned Kidderminster Harriers a 2-0 win to wrap up their pre-season campaign against a young Stoke City XI at Aggborough.

The challenge will be entirely different as Harriers kick off their National League North campaign with a long north-east trip to Darlington on Saturday (3pm).

Chances did not flow quite as freely against Championship outfit Stoke as they did in the first half of the 2-0 win over League Two's Newport County the previous weekend.

With quarter of an hour gone Maz Kouhyar fired an angled effort across goal.

But three minutes later Harriers went ahead when Caleb Richards' delightful ball into the area saw Ashley Hemmings once again bag a pre-season goal with a well-taken header.

On 33 minutes Harriers hunted in a pack and were almost rewarded with a second goal.

Zak Brown and Amari Morgan-Smith played their part in setting up Maliq Cadogan who forced a strong save from keeper Noah Cooper.

And Harriers doubled their lead five minutes into the second half with Morgan-Smith following up from close range to finish after Hemmings was denied by Cooper.

Ten minutes later Hemmings almost converted again from a Kouhyar assist with the keeper intervening again.

Seb Thompson drove wide from around 18 yards for Harriers before with six minutes left Stoke's Kieron Willox lifted the ball over when through to face keeper Christian Dibble.

Meanwhile, Harriers have signed defender Reece Devine following a summer trial at Aggborough.

The 22-year-old full-back has fine footballing pedigree having spent time as a youth at Wolves, Manchester City and Manchester United.

He picked up senior experience with St Johnstone and Walsall before after leaving United in 2022 he joined Swindon Town.

Devine departed the League Two Robins at the end of last season after a frustrating spell with injury but, having got a full pre-season under his belt with Harriers, signs a deal ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

He said: “I’m really happy to be on board now.

“I can’t wait for the season to start. It has been a tough pre-season but it’s one all of the boys have definitely benefitted from.

“The environment here speaks for itself and the set-up is amazing. The lads have been great from day one so I have really enjoyed it.

“Last season I didn’t play much football so I am excited to get back playing and prove some people wrong.”