GCE Hire Fleet United Counties Football League
The Sports Ground Development Reserves Division Cup
Saturday 20th December 2025
Harborough Town Under 21’s (5) – (0) Kempston Rovers Reserves
Report – Josh Unsworth
Photo – MGK Captures
Harborough Town U21s booked their place in the semi-finals with a commanding 5–0 victory over Kempston Rovers Reserves, producing a performance full of intensity, quality and clinical finishing from start to finish.
The Young Bees wasted no time in asserting their authority on the contest. From the opening exchanges they controlled possession and tempo, pressing high and forcing Kempston onto the back foot. Their early dominance was rewarded inside eight minutes when Lovell Edwards drove confidently down the left flank, beating his marker before cutting the ball back to the edge of the penalty area. Saad Hamrad arrived perfectly to strike first time, firing Harborough into a deserved 1–0 lead.
Harborough continued to apply pressure throughout the first half, moving the ball with purpose and creating a steady stream of chances. That control told again after 25 minutes. Archie O’Donnell picked up possession some 25 yards from goal, shifted the ball out of his feet and unleashed a superb strike that flew past the helpless goalkeeper, doubling the advantage and putting the Bees firmly in the driving seat. The U21s went into the break with a commanding 2–0 lead, having dictated proceedings throughout.
The second half followed the same pattern, with Harborough showing no sign of easing off. O’Donnell added his second of the evening after another incisive contribution from Edwards, who once again cut the ball back into a dangerous area. Archie finished confidently from a tight angle to the goalkeeper’s left to make it 3–0.
Substitute Gui Rodrigues, just 16 years old, made an instant impact off the bench. Showing maturity beyond his years, the young forward dribbled past two defenders before rounding the goalkeeper and calmly slotting home his first goal for the U21s.
The scoring was completed shortly after when Tom Hoey netted his first goal at this level. An Archie O’Donnell corner was met sweetly on the half-volley, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance and rounding off an excellent all-round team performance.
After the game, Head Coach Josh Unsworth said:
“Really proud of the team. We’ve ended the year on a massive high and we must take this momentum into 2026. Massive congratulations to young Gui too — scoring his first goal. I could see what it meant to his family watching on.”
The semi-final is set for Saturday 14th February, away to Desborough Town Reserves.
Best wishes to the Young Bees as they prepare for their upcoming semi-final.