GCE Hire Fleet United Counties Football League
Reserve Division
Saturday 8th November 2025
Buckingham FC Development 1-5 Harborough Town Under 21’s
Report – Josh Unsworth
Harborough Town’s U21s produced a superb first-half display to climb back to the top of the table with a dominant 5–1 victory away at Buckingham FC Development.
With both sides sitting near the summit, and leaders Northampton Chenecks dropping points, there was an opportunity for the winners to go top — and it was the young Bees who seized it in style.
Harborough started brightly and took the lead through Archie O’Donnell, who latched onto a clever pass from Leighton McWilliams before firing a half-volley into the top corner.
Moments later came what could well be the team goal of the season. Starting from goalkeeper Alexander Fisher, the Bees worked the ball superbly down the left with crisp, one-touch football. Corey Birch then chipped a delightful ball into the box where Zak Gillespie rose highest to head home for 0–2.
Gillespie doubled his tally soon after, pressing brilliantly to win back possession before slotting calmly into the bottom corner.
Full-back Birch got in on the act on 40 minutes with a stunning strike from 25 yards that curled into the top corner, before Gillespie completed his hat-trick shortly before the break — pouncing on a loose ball after a deflected cross to make it 0–5 at half-time.
Buckingham responded better after the restart and pulled a goal back, but Harborough continued to create chances and managed the game comfortably to secure all three points.
With Northampton Chenecks drawing 3–3 elsewhere, the result sends the young Bees back to the top of the league.
Head Coach Josh Unsworth said:
“The first 45 minutes was the best I’ve seen us this season. The midfield three — Cyp, Leighton, and Bakari — were superb in controlling everything for us. To come up against a team who had only conceded eight goals all season and score five is a fantastic effort.
Really proud of the boys today, including the lads stepping up from the U18s — Gui and Ollie.”