Pitching In Southern League Premier Central
Tuesday 10th September, 2024
By Cristian Bratu
Harborough Town 2 (Walsh 67, Daire 79)
Spalding United 0
Harborough Town returned to winning ways after second half goals from Josh Walsh and Tendai Daire saw the Bees claim all three points against Spalding United.
Elliott Taylor was tested early in the first half as Tyler Winter’s snap-shot was saved well by the keeper’s legs but it was the hosts who got off to the better start as Paul Malone, Luis Rose and Riley O’Sullivan all had shots on goal. Trickery from Connor Tomlinson allowed the Spalding attacker to fashion a shooting opportunity as the away side looked to get a foothold in the game but he curled his effort just wide of the mark. Both keepers were then forced into big saves as Alex Morris was denied from point blank range by Tony Breedon, before the fingertips of Taylor kept out Lewis Hilliard’s powerful freekick which was destined for the top corner.
The deadlock was finally broken in the second half as Walsh picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box before arrowing his shot into the bottom corner to give the hosts a deserved lead. Spalding improved following Harborough’s opener and looked as though they got the equaliser they craved but a reaction save from Taylor kept the hosts in front. That proved to be a big stop by Taylor as moments later, great one-touch football by the Bees allowed Ben Starkie to release Daire with the outside of his boot for the striker to bury his chance emphatically to double the advantage and secure a big three points for his side.
MOTM, sponsored by DS Ronald: Ben Starkie