GCE Hire Fleet United Counties Football League
Reserve Division
Saturday 31st January 2026
Irchester United Reserves (0) – (2) Harborough Town Under 21’s
Report – Josh Unsworth
After a week away from competitive action, Harborough Town Under 21s returned to league duty looking to build on their excellent recent form with a challenging away trip to Irchester United.
The hosts began the contest on the front foot, applying early pressure and causing a few issues for the Young Bees’ defensive unit in the opening stages. Irchester moved the ball well early on and tested Harborough’s concentration, forcing the visitors to remain alert as they settled into the match.
However, after the opening 15 minutes, Harborough began to grow into the game and assert greater control. The Young Bees started to find their rhythm in midfield, moving the ball with increasing confidence and pushing Irchester back into their own half.
The breakthrough arrived when Saad Hamrad unleashed a long-range effort that was parried by the Irchester goalkeeper. Reacting quickest to the loose ball, Shaan Virk followed in to calmly tap home the rebound, giving Harborough a deserved 1–0 lead and shifting the momentum firmly in their favour.
Harborough continued to press for a second goal and were rewarded before the interval with a move that showcased their quality and composure. Excellent work from Leighton McWilliams down the left-hand side opened up the Irchester defence, before play was switched intelligently to the right. Kekeli Fometu linked up cleverly with Lovell Edwards, whose delivery into the box found Saad Hamrad unmarked. From close range, Hamrad made no mistake, heading home from six yards out to send the Young Bees into the break two goals to the good.
The second half saw Harborough adopt a more controlled and professional approach. Managing the game well, the Young Bees continued to test the Irchester United Reserves goalkeeper, who produced a number of good saves to prevent the scoreline from increasing further. Despite creating opportunities and enjoying sustained spells of possession, Harborough were unable to add a third goal, though their dominance remained clear.
Defensively, the Young Bees remained disciplined and organised, limiting Irchester’s attacking threat and seeing the game out with maturity to secure another clean sheet and three valuable points on the road.
After the game, Head Coach Josh Unsworth said:
“This was one of my favourite performances this season. On a really tough pitch, to act in a professional way and just get the job done was brilliant. It’s now six clean sheets in seven games for us, which means we’re working so hard all over the pitch for one another.”
A strong, composed display that underlined the U21s’ consistency, resilience and collective effort as their impressive run continues. 🐝