HARBOROUGH
HARBOROUGH
TOWN
TOWN THIS SEASON! THIS SEASON!
LEAGUE CAMPAIGN SO FAR LEAGUE CAMPAIGN SO FAR
Games-37 Games-37
Wins-25 Wins-25
Draws-9 Draws-9
Losses-3 Losses-3
Points-84 Points-84
Today’s opponents have no doubt been the standout performers of the 2025/26 Southern League Premier Division Central season, with manager Mitch Austin’s side looking solid favourites to clinch the title with five games still remaining. The midlands-based outfit have picked up 84 points from their 37 league games played and have only lost three times all season, in a league that was branded one of the most competitive before a ball was kicked. A recent slump (by their high standards!) is the only thing that has prevented today’s visitors from turning up to Quattro-Tech Westwood Road with the champagne on ice, having only won two of their last five league games coming into today. Despite the Bees having previously beaten Ives 2-0 this campaign, Austin will be well aware of the record his previous employers have when the two teams meet, with Ricky Marheineke’s men coming out on the winning side in three of the last four.
The bees faithful were treated to an entertaining FA Cup run, with Harborough making it through to the 4 Qualifying Round. Having beaten Leek Town, Worksop Town and Peterborough Sports, Austin’s men fell to Enterprise National League side Altrincham, having dragged them to a replay.
Bees also gave their fans some excitement in the FA Trophy, making it to the 3 Round Proper before being knocked out of the competition by Carlisle United, another Enterprise National League outfit.
HARBOROUGH TOWN-PLAYER IN FOCUS HARBOROUGH TOWN-PLAYER IN FOCUS
RileyO’Sullivan
24-year-old Riley has been enjoying a very fruitful season as far as goal scoring is concerned, with the midfielder/forward netting 16 times so far this campaign. Two of those goals came against Ives, with O’Sullivan scoring once in both halves to see his side come away with a 2-0 victory back in August. Most recently, he scored in Harborough’s previous Southern League fixture, a dramatic 2-2 draw with Bury Town.
O’Sullivan, who joined Harborough from Spalding United last summer, has been described as someone who “is quick, scores goals and plays the game with real attitude, never giving defenders a minutes rest.” Those that have had the pleasure of watching the Mansfield Town academy graduate play this season will no doubt concur with that description and we’re sure the man himself will be keen to once again showcase his talents when he takes the field at Quattro-Tech Westwood Road on Friday afternoon.
HARBOROUGH TOWN-PLAYER IN FOCUS HARBOROUGH TOWN-PLAYER IN FOCUS
LAST MATCH LAST MATCH REPORT! REPORT!
Stourbridge v St Ives Town
Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central 28-03-2026
Written by Nigel Howlett
Saturday 28th March
This heartbreaking defeat extended Ives run without a win to thirteen games and plunged them deep into the relegation mire. It was a game that looked for all the world that it was going to end that dreadful run as they entered six added minutes with a 3-2 lead and looking comfortable against opponents who had huffed and puffed without ever looking like breaking Ives house down in a second half where prior to added time they had managed only two wayward efforts at Ollie Taylor’s goal. But, as against Bury Town in late January, all of the hard work which had gone before it was overturned by conceding two late goals.
Ives, playing with a strong wind at their backs, took the game to their hosts in the early stages and Ben Hart rampaged forward down the right before firing inches wide from the edge of the box in sixth minute. Two minutes later Reuben Wyatt blocked an attempted clearance and latched onto the loose ball to pull the first save of the game out of Glassboys stopper Charlie Price with a 25 yard effort that flew straight at the keeper.
Taylor was called into the action twice in 12th and 14th minutes making comfortable saves from Jai Verma who cut in from the right and fired straight at the keeper and Dom Lewis who tried his luck from 25 yards with an identical result.
Ives then got their noses in front, perhaps a little fortunately, in 14th minute Dan Lawlor delivered a free kick from the left into the box where Ash Carter struggled to head it clear under pressure. The ball dropped to Hart inside the box, his first time effort lacked power and was straight at Price, but the unsighted keeper made a hash of it, only succeeding in knocking the ball into the roof of the net with his legs
Matty Miles had been keeping the dangerous Verma quite down the right, but he was forced out of the game in 21st minute with a bloody nose after an accidental clash of heads with the Glassboys winger Luton Town loanee Kai Source replaced the battered full back Source was soon involved as his clever run on the half hour pulled away defenders to let Theo Alexandrou cut inside and unleash a shot from the corner of the box that took a wicked deflection off a defender and looped inches wide of the far post with Price looking on.
LAST MATCH LAST MATCH REPORT! REPORT!
Saturday 28th March
The young full back was having a battle with Verma and two minutes later he bundled over the winger as he tried to cut inside. Liam Brazier’s free kick was met by Hayden Reeves at the back post but the Glassboys skipper failed to keep his header down The reprieve was only temporary for the visitors as from the very next attack Verma managed to cut inside Source before running on into the box and firing high past Taylor to level things up
Things quickly turned from bad to worse for Ives as Brazier latched onto a loose ball 30 yards from goal and strode forward before unleashing a fierce drive that arrowed into the top corner giving the flying Taylor no chance and putting the hosts in front three minutes before the break
Ives responded well as Alexandrou nodded down Source’s cross into the box and Amaru Kaunda fired the loose ball well over the top only sixty seconds later. There was still time for another twist in the tail as Duncan Idehen lost his marker to power home Lawlor’s inswinging corner in the first added minute to send the sides into the break level at 2-2
Now playing against the wind Ives changed their tactics by looking to turn the Glassboys back line at every opportunity and that tactic brought them reward twelve minutes after the restart as Alexandrou latched onto Wyatt’s clip over the top, cut inside and curled a perfect finish into the bottom corner past the outstretched hand of the diving Price to restore the visitor’s advantage
The hosts continued to enjoy plenty of possession but were unable to break down a stubborn Ives back line. It took a brilliant reaction save from Price to prevent the visitors increasing their lead with 20 minutes to go Two of Ives substitutes combined well to set up the opportunity with Neo Dobson getting onto another of those well placed balls over the top and getting his head up to pick out Michael Richens arriving unmarked at the back of the box. The Ives club captain did everything right and made clean contact with his first time volley from 15 yards but Price reacted brilliantly to tip the goal bound effort over the top
LAST MATCH LAST MATCH REPORT! REPORT!
Saturday 28th March
With time ticking down the hosts efforts to get back into the game were becoming increasingly desperate, a couple of long range efforts from substitute Will Etheridge flew harmlessly wide and the big home crowd started to get restless but all of that changed completely as the clock ticked into added time In the first of the six added minutes a cross from the left took a deflection off a defender and looped over the pack in the centre of the goal to arrive at the feet of full back Jack Fletcher who had ghosted in unmarked at the far post and he finished like a striker volleying his first time effort into the roof of the net from eight yards.
Now the home crowd suddenly had something to cheer about and the place was rocking, Ives had to weather the late storm to claim what would still be a valuable point but there was to be a final cruel twist for the gallant visitors as two minutes later Charlie Pavey found space to deliver a cross from the left Tom Edge forced his way between defenders to ram home his header and lift the roof off the War Memorial Ground. To make matters even worse for Ives two of their big relegation rivals, Bromsgrove and Stamford, came up with important victories to leave the visitors precariously placed two points from safety with five games to go.
Final Score: Stourbridge 4 St Ives Town 3 Half Time 2 – 2
Goals:
STOURBRIDGE: Verma 35, Brazier 43, Fletcher 90+1, Edge 90+4
ST IVES: Hart 14, Idehen 45+1, Alexandrou 57
Team Line Ups:
STOURBRIDGE: Price, Fletcher, Solanke (Ethridge 61), Portman (Pavey 70), Reeves (capt), Verma, Lewis, Brazier, Edge, Carter, Knowles (ThompsonMcKenzie 74), Unused subs: Peer, Hayward
ST IVES: Taylor, Creary (capt), Idehen, Hart (Dobson 69), Kaunda, Wyatt (Richens 57), Miles (Source 21), Lawlor, Njie, Alexandrou (Baker 71), Meade, Unused subs: Smith
Referee: Ashley Clarke
Cards: Yellow: STOURBRIDGE: Pavey (90+6) ST IVES: Alexandrou (35), Meade (62), Creary (90+4)
IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH: Jernade Meade
Attendance: 757
Since our last edition of the match programme, the reserves have been in action in the GCE United Counties Reserve League looking to bounce back from their cup final defeat, as they took on Desborough Town. Despite a spirited display from Ives, the points were shared at the VPK Stadium as the two sides played out an entertaining 3-3 draw.
They followed that up with an impressive display last Saturday afternoon, with a 6-0 win against Daventry Town Reserves showcasing how clinical our reserves can be, cementing 4 position in the table. Next up, a trip to Kempston Rovers Reserves on Wednesday evening.
ACADEMY NEWS
The academy sides have continued to go from strength to strength since our last edition, with the U18s wrapping up a hugely impressive 2 consecutive league and cup double. The lads were crowned Thurlow Nunn Youth League, West Division champions following Deeping Rangers’ draw against Ely City. They then faced Ramsey Town U18s in the Hunts County Cup Final last Sunday and produced a superb performance to win 4-0 on the day and claim the trophy, to cap off a fantastic season!
The scholars have been announcing their new additions for the 2026/27 season, check out their socials for more info: stivestown.academy
LADIES NEWS AND LADIES ROUND-UP! AND LADIES ROUND-
Since our last edition of the match programme, the ladies side have also been in action in the Alan Boswell Group Cambridgeshire Girls and Women's Football League Division following a 6-2 defeat to Whittlesey Athletic and a home walkover for March Town, they managed to claim a big three points with a 2-0 win over Ely City.
Wearebackforthetwentietheditionof‘10totackle’forthe 2025/26season!Thistime,wewillbetestingyouonthemost recentinternationalbreak?Canyougetall10?
GOOD LUCK! GOOD LUCK!
1 1.Who scored for England in their draw with Uruguay? Who scored for England in their draw with Uruguay?
2 2. .Who was given two yellow cards but not sent off in the same game? Who was given two yellow cards but not sent off in the same game?
3 3.Who beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in their World Cup Qualifier? Who beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in their World Cup Qualifier?
4 4. .Who defeated Wales to advance to the playoff final? Who defeated Wales to advance to the playoff final?
5 5.What was the score at the end of normal time when Republic of What was the score at the end of normal time when Republic of Ireland faced off against Czechia? Ireland faced off against Czechia?
6 6.Who scored the winning penalty in the shootout? Who scored the winning penalty in the shootout?
7 7. .Which team handed Thomas Tuchel his first defeat as England Which team handed Thomas Tuchel his first defeat as England manager? manager?
8 8. .Who scored for Japan in Tuesday’s game? Who scored for Japan in Tuesday’s game?
9 9.Who was sent off for Italy in their World Cup playoff Final? Who was sent off for Italy in their World Cup playoff Final?
10 10. .Which team did Sweeden defeat to clinch their World Cup place? Which team did Sweeden defeat to clinch their World Cup place?
Want to find out how you got on?
After 37 rounds of fixtures, Ives find themselves in... 19TH
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By Jon Couch
MEET TODAY’S OPPONENTS
HTFC PEN PICS
Mitch Austin, Manager: an exciting young manager who has managed in the United Counties League and was Assistant Manager at Kettering Town and St Ives Town, who joined ‘The Bees’ from in October 2020. His brilliant player recruitment and leadership led to the UCL Premier Division South title and the UCL’s Champions Trophy in 2022, promotion from the NPL Midlands Division in 2024 and an fifth place finished in the SL Premier Central Division in the club’s first Step 3 season won us a playoff place last season
Elliot Taylor, goalkeeper: an excellent all round keeper, who is quick off his line and a fine shot stopper; in his sixth season at the club, he rarely misses a game and is closing in on 200 appearance
George Carline, full back: a close season signing from Brackley Town for this season, he is an experienced and versatile player who was voted into the National League North Team of the Season for 2024/25.
Ben Williams, central defender: our goal scoring, dominating centre half and captain. He has played over 400 senior games for the club and is in his 13th season at senior level, having been a junior with us.
Alex Morris, central defender: the description everybody seems to use of Alex, is ‘towering defender’! In his third season since he joined from Gresley Rovers, a seasoned player, but still only 28 He made 50appearances last season and voted Supporters’ Player of the Season last year and the Manager’s PofS
Paul Malone, central defender/striker: in his fifth season at the club since joining the club from Peterborough Sports A hugely impressive and experienced quality defender who dominates in both boxes and scores goals as well as being a huge presence in the dressing room.
Liam Dolman, central defender: a hugely experienced defender who has a massive presence in the Harborough defence. Signed from Tamworth Town last season.
Rory McAuley, central defender: another very experienced defender who joined recently from Corby Town He began at Cambridge City and has played over 200 games in the National League, with clubs such as Peterborough Sports and Kings Lynn
Eliot Putman, defender: a close season signing from Peterborough Sports whose quality was shown by being the Sports’ Manager’s Player of the Season for 2024/25 His experience in any position across the defence will be vital to ‘The Bees’ this season
MEET TODAY’S OPPONENTS
Josh Walsh, defender/midfield: he has come through the ranks at ‘The Bees’ and now in his eighth season A versatile, quality midfield/ defensive player, whose sweet left foot provides the ammunition for our strikers He played every league game last season, reaching 250 for the club Voted Players’ Player of the season in the last campaign
James Taylor, defender: joins us after a hugely successful season at Uxbridge, winning promotion from Step 4. He is a commanding centre half who made 40 appearances last season.
Devon Kelly-Evans, defender: joins the club from neighbours Kettering Town, where he was Player’s Player of the Year last season He is a tenacious but creative midfielder who impressed during pre-season
Connor Kennedy, midfield: having played for Kettering Town and Peterborough Sports Connor has proved to be a great capture by the club, now in his third season He gives us possession and drive in the centre of the park and scores goals too
Robert Morgan, midfield: a hugely influential central midfielder who signed from AFC Stamford last season, where he was club captain Made a massive contribution in the race to the playoffs last season.
Brady Hickey, midfield: an excellent capture by ‘The Bees’ in the close season after spending 10 years at neighbours Barwell, where he showed his quality as a goal scoring attacking midfielder. He scored 18 goals last season in side destined for the bottom four.
Terrel Pennant forward: a pacy and skilful wide man signed recently from Alfreton Town He began his career at Leicester City and has played at Coalville Town, Rushall Olympic and Kettering Town
Jutorre Burgess, midfield/forward: a young player who was the first to make the move from the HTFC Development Squad A quick and alert player who hails from Bermuda, who made the transition to senior football amazingly well last season, making 39 appearances.
Ben Stephens, midfield/forward: joined the club from Step 2 club Kings Lynn Town last season and was excellent being leading scorer with 20 goals. A versatile player who can play in any of the front and midfield roles.
Dan Forbes, defender/midfield/attack: a long serving HTFC player, now in his 11th season with 250 appearances , he is really versatile, from wing back to forward
Riley O’Sullivan, midfield/forward: a quality attacking player who joined Town from Spalding United last season He is quick scores goals and plays the game with real attitude, never giving defenders a minutes rest
MEET TODAY’S OPPONENTS
Luis Rose, midfield/forward: in his second spell at Harborough he has proved to be real asset to the club playing any where in the top half he creates and scores goals, whilst working incredibly hard
Jordon Crawford, midfield/forward: a quality player who has played for Kettering Town, Boston United and Brackley Town and returned to the club where his career began last season. He was hugely influential in our promotion team, but sadly damaged his ACL in the play off Final and missed last season.
David Kamara,, forward: an exciting young forward who is on a season long loan from Peterborough United He can play down the middle or as a no 10
Danny Newton, forward: our second signing from Brackley Town for this season Danny is a proven goal scorer who has played Step 1 football and his goals were influential in ‘The Saints’ promotion to the National League last season
Dempsey Arlott-John, attacking midfield: : rejoined the club from Brackley Town during last season He is an attacking wide player with an eye for goal
HISTORY OF HARBOROUGH TOWN
A HISTORY OF HARBOROUGH TOWN FC
Harborough Town FC is the realisation of the merger of Harborough Town Juniors, Harborough Town Spencers and Harborough Minis in 2007, which created one club for all ages, gender and ability for the Market Harborough community
We are based in Market Harborough, where our impressive facilities cater for all of the club’s teams The club became an FA Charter Standard Club in 2004 and through consistent development has achieved FA Charter Standard Community Club status which is the highest accolade currently available and recognizes best practice, on-going development and a positive impact within the local community. The club currently has teams that include Minis, Girls, Junior, Youth, Ladies, Inclusive, Senior, Veteran and Walking Football sides.
Harborough Town Juniors was formed in 1975, running teams from U11 to U16 After initially playing at Symington’s, they developed facilities on Northampton Road in the 1990s However, there was a desire to have senior football for the youngsters to move on to, and consequently they formed links with Spencers United, and in 2007 they merged with Harborough Town Spencers, as they had become called In the early 2000s Harborough Minis had been formed to cater for U11s, and in 2007 they also joined the merger to create Harborough Town FC
After three seasons in the Northants Combination, managed by Andy ‘Stan’ Wilson, the club won promotion to the United Counties League. On 14 August 2010 Market Harborough witnessed the return of UCL football for the first time since Symington’s FC’s last game in 1954, and by 2012 ‘The Bees’, as they had become known, had won promotion to the UCL Premier Division.
In the early years of HTFC the Northampton Road ground had seen much improvement, with a new clubhouse, first team pitch, two stands and a 3G artificial pitch The Bowden’s Park ground had become a fine ground, but in 2018 the installation of a Class 1 artificial pitch (3G), funded by Market Harborough District Council, a Stadium Improvement Grant and the Football Foundation, saw the creation of The Harborough Town Community Football Ground, but known as The Beehive This was opened on 1 November 2018 with a game against an FA Representative XI
The senior side made steady progress in the UCL and the two aborted Covid-19 seasons saw us have good starts, reflecting the clubs on field progress. In 2020 experienced UCL manager Mitch Austin joined the club and immediately changed the mindset to a much more professional one. After 10 years of steady progress at Step 5 HTFC’s ambitions in the FA Pyramid were met when we won the UCL Premier Division South in 2022, with 102 points A place in the Northern Premier League Midland Division was the reward
HISTORY OF HARBOROUGH TOWN
In the first season an excellent 8th place was achieved, just one point of the playoffs, but the 2023/24 season proved to be an exceptional one After a steady start, a great run of wins saw ‘Ther Bees’ go top of the division by Christmas and there we stayed until an administrative error cost us six points and that meant a third place finish instead of the title Mitch was not to be deterred though and victories against Hinckley LRFC and Anstey Nomads meant promotion to Step 3 football for the first time in the club’s history
The first Step 3 season started slowly with just two wins in the first 9 games, but slowly and with the addition of several players the season turned A run of 6 wins in a row across the New Year became a playoff charge, with a brilliant 5th place secured. Sadly we lost on penalties at Kettering Town but an amazing first season ever at this level. Ground additions have also improved The Beehive.
MATCHDAY SQUADS
Ollie Taylor (GK)
Ethan Creary
Aaron Smith
Jordan Williams
Jernade Meade
Jahrel McKoy
Ed Hottor
Michael Richens
Claudio Dias
Albie O’Keefe
Johnson Gyamfi
Gibou Njie
Theo Alexandrou
Jiah Medrano
Alfie Shepherd
Evan Watkins
Neo Dobson
Matty Miles
Duncan Idehen
George Munday
Dan Lawlor
Sam Tessler
Ryan Fryatt
Rueben Wyatt
Kellan Hickinson
Mark Jones
Tyrone Baker
Dempsey Arlott-John
Jutorre Burgess
George Carline
Jordon Crawford
Liam Dolman
Dan Forbes
Brady Hickey
David Kamara
Devon Kelly-Evans
Connor Kennedy (Match Capt)
Rory McAuley
Paul Malone
Robert Morgan
Alex Morris
Danny Newton
Riley O’Sullivan
Terrel Pennant
Eliot Putman
Luis Rose
Ben Stephens
Elliott Taylor
James Taylor
Josh Walsh
Ben Williams (Club Captain)
ManagementTeams
Ricky Marheineke (Manager)
Jim Freeman (Assistant)
Frankie Fry (First Team Coach)
Paul Swannell (Goalkeeping Coach)
Jardaine Patel-Joseph (Physio)
Mitch Austin (Manager)
David Staff (Assistant)
Owen Wright (Coach)
Mitchell Kahan (GK Coach)
Grace Westbury (Physio)
KitColours
Shirts-Black and White Stripe
Shorts-Black
Socks-Black
GoalkeeperKit
All Blue Kit
MatchOfficials
Shirts-Yellow
Shorts-Yellow
Socks-Yellow
GoalkeeperKit
All Grey Fit
Referee-Jonathan Lam
Assistant-Simon Dutton Assistant-Sam Waterhouse
LocationDetails
Stadium-Quattro-Tech Westwood Road
Pitch Type-3G Surface
Kick Off-3:00 PM