Bees Left to Rue Missed Opportunities in FA Trophy Exit

The game started evenly, with the Bees showing they were more than capable of competing with a side sitting third, two leagues above. Early on, Alex Morris flashed a free header wide from a long throw before Ben Stephens glanced another effort straight at Carlisle shot-stopper Harry Lewis.

With neither side able to gain control of the game early on, the hosts were handed a glorious chance to take the lead on 14 minutes when David Kamara was brought down after Dempsey Arlott-John whipped a fierce ball into the box. Stephens stepped up, but despite placing the ball low into the corner, the shot lacked conviction, allowing Lewis to make a strong save down to his right. Speaking afterwards, Harborough manager Mitch Austin admitted it was “an opportunity missed,” adding that “key moments have meant we are on the losing side… we had opportunities there.”

Carlisle gradually grew into the game, with Sam Hetherington and captain Alex Gillead playing instrumental roles in progressing the ball up the pitch. A chipped ball from a deep Gillead free-kick and a rare lapse in concentration from the Harborough defence granted Sam Murray space at the back post to bundle the ball past Elliot Taylor, despite the keeper getting a touch. Harborough responded positively, Arlott-John lashing over before using his skill and quick feet to break free from his marker and fizz a cross into Stephens, who couldn’t quite bring the ball under control at the far post.

After the restart, Carlisle had a spell of dominance, imposing themselves on the home side and isolating the Bees’ forwards. Linney showed why he is such an asset, driving forward with pace and purpose down the left. Moments after firing a shot just over, the talisman doubled the Cumbrians’ lead on 58 minutes. Luke Armstrong collected a long ball on the counter, muscled his way past Eliot Putman, and squared the ball for Linney to tuck away.

The Bees, a side who refuse to lie down, pushed men forward. Brady Hickey volleyed over from close range, Connor Kennedy headed narrowly over, and Paul Malone powered a bullet header straight at Lewis as the Harborough faithful found their voice, sensing a goal was coming. The pressure paid off on 69 minutes when Josh Walsh clipped a superb ball into the area to find Liam Dolman, who guided a header with pinpoint precision beyond the keeper. Fan favourite Dolman appears to be in fine finishing form, with his second goal in as many home games.

Harborough kept pressing,but the National League side showed their discipline to see the game out professionally, with the hosts having a couple of late penalty shouts, one for a handball and another for a dubious slide tackle on Malone; however, referee Greg Rollason saw nothing in either. Austin praised his side’s efforts saying “I believe in my players; they have been superb. We had great attacking moments, we just needed to find our shooting boots,” before adding that Carlisle are “a well-run club” and that it was “a pleasure coming up against Mark Hughes.”

With the excitement of the FA Trophy adventure coming to an end, the Bees return to league action, setting their sights on table-topping Spalding United, aiming to close the gap. The festive fixtures begin with a midweek trip to Stourbridge on Wednesday the 17th followed by another away match on Saturday the 20th at Needham Market. These games precede a deliciously placed home tie against Kettering on the 27th. Mitch’s lads will need to stay focused and hope there is no Christmas hangover for what promises to be an enthralling encounter. Tickets go on sale for the juicy local derby this week.