Pitching In Southern League Premier Central
Saturday 10th January 2026
Spalding United (3) – (1) Harborough Town
Thompson (16′), Sani (76′), Cybulski (90+8); O’Sullivan (33′)
Attendance – 1170
Report – Ben Monti
Photo – RB Media
Spalding United moved nine points clear at the top after beating Harborough Town 3–1, despite a Riley O’Sullivan screamer in an enthralling heavyweight contest.
As the crowd spilled into the Sir Halley Stewart Field on a frosty winter afternoon, you could sense the enormity of the occasion as two giants of the division went head-to-head. There were nerves, excitement and anticipation as 3pm approached. The Bees fans, who turned up in their numbers to their credit, banged the drum for the entire ninety and sang in full voice throughout.
Since taking the reins at Spalding, experienced manager Jimmy Dean had been unable to get the better of his friend and adversary Mitch Austin; however, out of respect for the Tulips’ attacking threat, and with a tactical chess match looming, the Bees’ boss opted for a change in formation, setting his side up with five at the back.
The Bees started brightly, testing their hosts with a couple of early corners and a George Carline throw which resulted in a goalmouth scramble, as Spalding looked shaky in the opening 10 minutes, failing to stamp their authority and control on the game. That said, it didn’t take long for the Tulips to show glimpses of the attacking prowess that has served them so well this season thus far.
Tosin Olopade made a bursting run into the box, skipping past Rory McAuley, only to be denied by a last-ditch sliding tackle from Devon Kelly-Evans. A trio of good chances followed, the last of which resulted in the hosts taking the lead.
Firstly, full-back Dion Sembie-Ferris whipped in a dangerous ball from the right, which flew just over the head of Bart Cybulski. If only the 6’5 forward were taller. Moments later, Elliot Taylor palmed away a ferocious Jack Roberts effort, before Curtis Thompson drilled a loose ball on the edge of the box through the crowded area and past the unsighted Bees keeper to draw first blood.
Crucially, midway through the first half, the Tulips narrowly avoided being reduced to ten men in a moment that could have shifted the entire complexion of the game. In an attempt to win the ball, young winger Roberts came flying in from behind with his studs showing to wipe out Eliot Putman. The challenge did not appear cynical; however, the mistimed, reckless tackle most likely warranted a red, yet referee Henry Harvey, who, for the most part, had a great game, only brandished a yellow.
Just after the half hour mark, with the game hotting up, it could only be the former Tulips forward, Riley O’Sullivan, who would bring the away side level. Liam Dolman floated a long ball forward for David Kamara to nod down towards O’Sullivan, who took a touch, set himself and fired an absolute screamer into the top corner, leaving stopper Daniel Wilks no chance.
Both sides had a couple of efforts before halftime, with Dolman providing a flurry of crucial blocks to keep the tie level. You could feel the intensity growing and emotions heightening as the two teams went into the tunnel at half-time, epitomising why they are the top two outfits in the division in the first 45.
The Bees came out for the second half with intent, trying to build on O’Sullivan’s equaliser before the break. Kamara quickly laid one back for him again, while a couple of scrappy corners and loose balls in the box kept Spalding on the back foot, but there was no final touch to turn pressure into another goal. Kelly-Evans continued to impress in midfield, showing great footwork to keep hold of the ball and move Harborough up the pitch.
Spalding, though, always looked dangerous going the other way. A Roberts cross drifted onto the far post before Cybulski slipped Abduramane Sani in behind, only for the forward to hesitate and curl his effort wide when he really should have hit the target. At the other end, Kelly-Evans floated a free-kick into the area, Carline nodded towards Kamara who headed just past the post.
The breakthrough came on 76 minutes and it felt a soft way for the game to swing. Sani picked up the ball on the edge of the box and fired a low effort towards Taylor’s near post, the ball squeezing past the keeper to give Spalding the lead. After all the quality in the game, it was a goal that Harborough will feel they could have dealt with. “The first goal was avoidable, but I’m really disappointed with how we conceded the second one as a team,” lamented Austin post-match.
Austin reacted by throwing men forward. Dempsey Arlott-John, Brady Hickey and Ben Stephens were all introduced as the Bees went for it, with Paul Malone also added as Harborough committed bodies forward in search of an equaliser. Even in the closing stages Arlott-John was sliding in to stop counter-attacks as the visitors pushed higher and higher.
With Harborough throwing the kitchen sink at it, the hosts finally sealed the points deep into stoppage time, Sani breaking down the right and squaring for Cybulski to slot home.
After the game, Austin admitted, “It was a great advert for the league and a really good game to watch,” before reflecting on his admiration for the man in the opposing dugout. “They took a half-chance and nestled it in the bottom corner. It was end to end, but Jimmy Dean came out on top. He is a great, successful manager and I’ve always admired him.” Looking forward, he added, “The boys are hurting, but they’ll be up for Stamford. We’ll have to go full pelt to make amends.”
Despite going 9 points behind, the Bees still have four games in hand of the league leaders and have everything to play for. Harborough host AFC Stamford on Tuesday night, with the occasion providing Austin’s side with the perfect opportunity to bounce back and regain their momentum.