Pitching In Southern League Premier Central
Saturday 31st January 2026
Harborough Town 3-0 Stourbridge
O’Sullivan (27′), Stephens (39′), Dolman (60′)
Player of the Match – Brady Hickey
Attendance – 567
Report – Ben Monti
Photo – RB Media
Ten-man Harborough Town ease past Stourbridge in a comfortable 3-0 win which sees the Bees gain two points on league leaders Spalding United.
Harborough went into the game three points off the top, knowing they had to be at the races to keep Spalding honest in this captivating title race, whilst Stourbridge entered the tie languishing in the drop zone, looking to claw their way back to safety. Despite seventeen places separating the two sides, the Glassboys would have taken confidence from the fact they are only one of two teams this season to inflict a defeat on the Bees.
The hosts started strongly, controlling the midfield, dictating play and piling pressure on the visitors with Brady Hickey running the show. Two minutes in, David Kamara muscled his way goal-side of his marker and was brought down, only for the penalty appeal to be waved away. It set the tone for the officiating for the afternoon.
The Bees had multiple chances to take an early lead through a George Carline skied effort and a couple of close-range headers courtesy of Carline and Kamara; however, the game remained goalless. “We kept possession really well, took control and won the majority of individual battles,” reflected Mitch Austin post-match.
That was until the 27th minute, when Riley O’Sullivan received the ball from Kamara, held it up well, turned in stylish fashion nutmegging the defender with a backheel and calmly slotted past keeper Charlie Price. A real striker’s goal that impressed the gaffer. “The goal from Riley was outstanding, the touch, the turn, being clinical,” said Austin. The visitors did little to respond and soon paid the price, as Ben Stephens smashed home past Price at his near post to double Harborough’s lead after good build-up play involving O’Sullivan and Kamara.
Stourbridge were fortunate to avoid being reduced to ten men, with two dangerous challenges either side of the break. Before half-time, Aaron Bishop hacked down Carline with a two-footed tackle, studs showing, resulting in a yellow card. The Bees faithful made their feelings known, suggesting the wrong colour had been brandished. A minute after the interval, Kamara took an elbow to the head in what looked like another clear opportunity for referee Simon Kavanagh to justifiably reduce the visitors’ numbers.
Nonetheless, the second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with Harborough looking comfortable and firmly in control. The Bees put the game beyond all doubt when Liam Dolman’s flicked header from a Carline long throw found the back of the net to make it 3-0. Both sides made a flurry of substitutions as the game began to fade.
A strong afternoon was slightly dampened in stoppage time when substitute Terrell Pennant was shown a straight red card for bringing down Brad Bood from behind. The decision left a sour taste among the home support, particularly as Stourbridge were fortunate not to be reduced to ten men themselves.
Looking forward, Austin maintained his side’s objective, “The main motive is trying to carry on collecting three points”. With Spalding drawing at home to Bishop’s Stortford, the Bees have closed the gap to just one point as they enter a busy spell of four games in twelve days. The first three of those are all on the road, travelling to all corners of the division, starting with a tough trip away to the league’s dark horses Real Bedford on Tuesday, before visits to Bromsgrove Sporting and Bishop’s Stortford.