Harborough Town 1 (Burgess 87’) – Halesowen Town 1 (Tee 47’)
The first half was played to a backdrop of gusty conditions of which neither side could fully get to grips with – the home side certainly had more of the ball as they looked to take advantage of the conditions as they put Halesowen Town under pressure from the first minute – and baring scoring a goal the Bees rarely allowed Halesowen out of their defensive half as the visitors struggled to build any momentum. Harborough centre back Liam Dolman showing his experience to thwart any forward movement from the visitors and orchestrating the Bees shape. Five successive corners for the Bees forced the visitors to some brave defending but the match remained goalless without either keeper being truly tested.
For the 1,002 supporters at the beehive, a game of football broke out in the second half as Halesowen caught the Bees knapping after a rare defensive lapse of concentration, Kieran Donnelly rifled a shot at Elliott Taylor in the Bees goal who produced a marvellous stop however the rebound fell to Conor Tee who reacted fastest in between two Harborough defenders to score.
The game opened up as the home side began to dominate keeping the ball well and on the deck. Rob Morgan fed young Jutorre Burgess down the left who cut in and his shot was well held by Platt in the visitors goal. A short while later Luis Rose aimed a looping shot over the advanced Platt but saw his effort land on top of the net after good work by marauding centre back Alex Morris. The pressure was mounting for the visitors but one break from defensive duties had Donnelly bearing down on Taylor in the Harborough net, however Morris had other ideas as his last ditch challenge prevented Donnelly from taking his shot. Further chances continued to fall to the Bees as Riley O’Sullivan and Dempsey Arlott-John, who came on as second half substitutes; O’Sullivan forcing Platt into a smart save low to his near post and Arlott-John’s speed in behind was causing problems. Starkie and Arlott-John combined on a number of further opportunities including a three-chance salvo for the Bees as they both went close along with a blocked effort from Morgan as Harborough pushed for an equaliser.
As the league-leaders were looking to hang-on for the win, young Burgess who was always a thorn in the visitors side, earned himself a half yard of space in the penalty box to angle a powerful low shot across Platt and into the far corner to send the home fans into delirium. Both teams pushed for a winner deep into injury time as the Bees had an goal-bound effort blocked before Halesowen top scorer Donnelly had the final chance
of the match but lashed his effort wide. Manager Mitch Austin; “both teams struggled with the windy conditions first half, but I’m proud of our team for controlling the game despite going down to an early second half goal, and we deservedly earnt the point and remain unbeaten in nine going into next weekend’s trip to now current league-leaders Bedford Town”.
Match Rating: 3*
MOTM: Liam Dolman (HTFC)