Pitching In Southern League Premier Central
Saturday 27th December 2025
Harborough Town (4) – (2) Kettering Town
Kamara (2′), Kennedy (45+1′), Hickey (47′), Rose (90+1′); Andoh (74′), Fitzhugh (90+6′)
Player of the Match – Rory McAuley
Attendance – 1723
Report – Ben Monti
Photo – RB Media
Harborough Town hit four past Kettering in a six-goal thriller to complete a league double over their local rivals 🐝
An energetic, bumper crowd filled the Beehive on a wet and windy December Saturday, creating a big match feel to the occasion. The Poppies, off the back of five games without defeat, made the short trip, looking to stifle their neighbours’ title challenge, whilst bolstering their own play-off hopes. Before the game had a chance to settle, the Bees found themselves 1-0 up after just two minutes when a sliced clearance from Will Glennon fortuitously found its way to David Kamara, who used his strength to fend off his marker and slot home.
Harborough manager Mitch Austin handed new signing Rory McAuley a start in place of Alex Morris. Still, the commanding Morris was forced into action earlier than expected, entering the fray after just six minutes following an injury to Josh Walsh. Despite only joining the club this week, McAuley slotted in seamlessly, producing an assured debut performance as though he had always played in yellow. The experienced centre-half played most of the game bandaged up after taking an elbow to the head; however, he will have impressed Mitch and the Harborough fans not only with his quality but, perhaps more importantly, his willingness to put his body on the line and give everything for the cause.
After a frantic opening, the game found its rhythm, with both sides pushing forward and opening it up into an end-to-end contest. Bees’ keeper Elliot Taylor was heavily tested, producing fine saves to deny Preston Bitemo with his fingertips and parry Ismael Fatadjo’s shot away from danger before throwing his body in the way of a drilled Blaine Rowe effort. The industrious Callum Powell saw his bicycle kick whistle agonisingly past the post. At the other end, Connor Kennedy came close, only to be denied by a strong save from Jason Alexander.
Kamara nearly added a second with a flying header from a George Carline cross after Riley O’Sullivan did superbly well to keep the ball alive. With half-time fast approaching, former Poppy Kennedy poked the ball into the back of the net after more good work from O’Sullivan.
The injury concerns for the hosts continued, with Rob Morgan being replaced at the break by Brady Hickey. The second half started in the same fashion as the first, with Harborough silencing the Kettering support in the 47th minute. Dempsey Arlott-John latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the box, drove forward and squared a tantalising pass for half-time substitute Hickey, who applied the deftest of touches to wrong-foot Alexander and make it 3-0.
Kai Williams looked dangerous for the Poppies after coming on; however, it was fellow substitute Kai Fifield who delivered the decisive cross for Levi Andoh to power a header into the top corner and present the away side with a glimmer of hope. With the game entering stoppage time, there was still time for further drama.
Luis Rose stabbed home Harborough’s fourth before Ethan Fitzhugh responded, blasting an effort past Taylor with essentially the last kick of the game. The two goals conceded don’t do Taylor any justice, as the shot-stopper was outstanding all game, having made a series of phenomenal saves.
After the game, the Harborough boss lauded his new signing, “Rory has immense calibre. He’s a leader and a winner.” Austin also expressed his delight with the result and the performance,“I’m delighted to come out on the right side of a derby like that. They asked us a lot of questions, but the boys stood up and were counted.”
The Bees now face back-to-back away fixtures, the first next Saturday, the 3rd at Banbury, before the all-important heavyweight six-pointer on the 10th when they travel to league leaders Spalding United.