GCE Hire Fleet United Counties Football League
The Sports Ground Development Reserves Division Cup
Final
Friday 13th March 2026
Harborough Town Under 21’s (3) – (1) St Ives Town Reserves
Report – Josh Unsworth
Photo – MGK Captures
Harborough Town U21s produced an excellent first-half performance to secure a deserved 3–1 victory over St. Ives Reserves and lift the UCL Reserves Cup after a composed and professional display.
The Young Bees started the final with real intent and confidence, quickly settling into their rhythm and looking dangerous whenever they moved forward. Their bright start was rewarded almost immediately, as the game could not have begun any better for Harborough, who took the lead after just two minutes with a move straight off the training ground.
Bakari Furbert started the move by playing the ball out wide to Archie O’Donnell, who showed great awareness to slip an intelligent pass into the path of Leighton McWilliams’ third-man run. McWilliams burst forward before driving a hard, low cross into the box where Cyprian Mtenga was perfectly placed to tap home from close range and give Harborough the dream start.
The early goal gave Harborough confidence and they continued to control the tempo of the match, moving the ball well and pressing high up the pitch. Their positive approach paid dividends again in the 21st minute when they doubled their advantage following more impressive attacking play.
McWilliams was again heavily involved in the build-up, linking up neatly with teammates before finding O’Donnell in space. The forward skipped past his defender with skill and composure before curling a superb left-footed effort into the far corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance and making it 2–0.
Harborough were now firmly in control and continued to cause problems for the St. Ives defence. The third goal soon followed, and once again it was O’Donnell making the difference. Picking up the ball in a wide right position, he cut inside onto his favoured left foot and this time opted for power, drilling a precise shot into the bottom corner to put Harborough firmly in control at 3–0.
St. Ives struggled to cope with the intensity and quality of Harborough’s play and were forced into a substitution as they searched for a way back into the contest. Ironically, it was the substitute who provided them with a lifeline in the 34th minute.
Reuben Huggins was cleverly picked out against the run of play and produced a calm, composed finish to pull one back for St. Ives, ensuring the sides went into half-time with the scoreline at 3–1.
The second half proved to be a much scrappier affair compared to the open and flowing first period. Neither side was able to maintain long spells of possession as the game became more physical and fragmented, which is often the case in cup finals where the stakes are high.
Despite this, the majority of the play remained in the St. Ives half, with Harborough continuing to look the more threatening side when opportunities arose.
Bakari Furbert had a golden opportunity to extend the lead when he met a cross from Saad Hamrad inside the area, but he was unable to convert from close range. Later in the half, Oliver Price also tested the St. Ives goalkeeper with a powerful strike that forced an excellent save to deny Harborough a fourth goal.
As the final stages approached, Harborough managed the game well, remaining organised defensively while still posing a threat on the break. Their disciplined and mature performance ensured they saw the game out comfortably to secure a memorable 3–1 victory and lift the UCL Reserves Cup.
After the match, Harborough Town U21 Head Coach Josh Unsworth said:
“We executed our game plan super well in the first half and ultimately that has won us the game.
Second half was totally different, the boys had to show a different side to them, which pleased me and cup finals are about finding a way, the boys did it. I’m incredibly proud of them and what they’ve achieved so far this season.”