A flurry of late goals saw Harborough Town defeat higher league opposition in Stamford AFC to claim a spot in the next round of the FA Cup.
The first half started off cagey as both sides could only muster half chances until Rob Morgan’s effort at the near post, which was well saved by Elliott Taylor in the Harborough net to keep the score level before half time.
The Step Three team took the lead early in the second half as Harry Wood rose highest to nod the ball into the back of the net, but it would be Harborough who responded best after this development.
Efforts from Silvano Obeng and Rhys Hoenes came as the Bees grew further into the game and their chance to level the score was granted by referee Luke Bowles as he gestured to the penalty spot – something that Connor Kennedy took with both hands as he nestled the ball into the top right-hand corner.
The pace of Hoenes caused the Stamford backline issues throughout the second half, and he would reap the rewards as his chipped effort over an advancing Ben Whiting after being played through on goal bulged the back of the net to propel the home side in front.
Not content with the one goal lead, Harborough would feed Hoenes in behind the visitors defence once more, only for the attacker to be fouled in the box granting Kennedy another opportunity from 12 yards. The Harborough captain sent Whiting the wrong way once more to make fully sure that Harborough Town would have their name in the hat for the next round.
Manager Mitch Austin was obviously delighted; “As a club we were pleased to host a higher league opposition, and one who won our division last season, so despite our depleted squad we frustrated them and deserved the win from that second half performance and cannot wait for Monday’s draw”.
Harborough Town 3 (0)
Kennedy (76’ PEN, 90+4’ PEN) Hoenes (90’)
Stamford AFC 1 (0)
Wood (50)
MOTM: Rhys Hoenes
Match Rating: 3 / 5
Match Report by Cristian Bratu