Northants Combination League
Premier Division
Saturday 10th October 2026
Thrapston Venturas (0) – (3) Harborough Town Under 21’s
Report – Jonathan Hulls
Photo – Andy Murdock Photography
Harborough Town Under 21’s: Alex Fisher, Jarred Rawlins, Charlie King (Riley Simpson 73’), Thomas Hoey, James Flint, Cyprian Mtenga, Rian Verghese (Yuvraj Shergill 60’), Ollie Price (Gui Rodrigues 60’), Chulu Johnson, Shaan Virk (Luca Gillespie 73’), Zak Gillespie.
The Young Bees continued their outstanding start to the season with another impressive performance on the road, securing a convincing 3-0 victory over Thrapston Venturas to make it ten wins from ten matches.
Goals from Zak Gillespie, Cyprian Mtenga and Gui Rodrigues ensured Harborough maintained their perfect record, with Josh Unsworth’s side producing a controlled and disciplined display against determined opposition.
Having established a first-half advantage, the Young Bees showed patience and composure after the interval before adding two further goals to complete another excellent afternoon’s work.
First Half
The opening stages proved to be a cagey affair, with both sides looking to establish themselves in the contest.
Harborough gradually began to take control, enjoying the greater share of possession and territory as they looked to find a way through the Thrapston defence.
Despite their growing influence on proceedings, the Young Bees had to remain patient as the hosts worked hard to keep them at bay.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 28th minute, with a move that began at the other end of the pitch.
⚽ 28′ | Thrapston Venturas 0-1 Harborough Town U21’s – Zak Gillespie
A brilliant headed clearance from Thomas Hoey released Zak Gillespie through on goal, with the Harborough forward showing excellent awareness and composure as the Thrapston goalkeeper raced off his line.
Gillespie kept his cool, producing a perfectly executed chip over the onrushing goalkeeper to give the Young Bees a deserved lead.
It was a clinical finish that rewarded Harborough’s positive approach and provided a platform for the visitors to build upon.
With the advantage secured, the Young Bees continued to dictate the tempo of the game, maintaining their control of possession and territory throughout the remainder of the first half.
Thrapston continued to offer determined opposition, but Harborough’s patience and discipline ensured they headed into the interval with their slender advantage intact.
Half Time: Thrapston Venturas 0-1 Harborough Town U21’s
Having enjoyed the greater share of possession during the opening 45 minutes, Harborough returned for the second half looking to build on their advantage.
The Young Bees continued to demonstrate patience in possession, moving the ball with purpose while maintaining the aggressive pressing that has become an important feature of their performances.
Despite controlling large periods of the contest, the visitors had to remain disciplined as Thrapston continued to make life difficult and prevent Harborough from extending their lead.
Unsworth’s side remained composed, trusting their approach and continuing to search for the opportunity to create a decisive second goal.
That patience was finally rewarded in the 73rd minute following an excellent passage of combination play through midfield.
⚽ 73′ | Thrapston Venturas 0-2 Harborough Town U21’s – Cyprian Mtenga
Jarred Rawlins played a perfectly timed pass to release Cyprian Mtenga, whose intelligent third-man run opened up the Thrapston defence.
With the opportunity presenting itself, Mtenga showed excellent composure in front of goal, coolly slotting the ball beyond the goalkeeper to double Harborough’s advantage.
The goal provided some welcome breathing space for the Young Bees, who had worked patiently to create the opening and were now firmly in control of the contest.
With their two-goal advantage established, Harborough continued to play with confidence as they looked to finish the afternoon strongly.
And in the 84th minute, the Young Bees produced arguably the standout moment of the match.
⚽ 84′ | Thrapston Venturas 0-3 Harborough Town U21’s – Gui Rodrigues
James Flint collected possession near the halfway line before embarking on an excellent attacking run, skipping past two Thrapston players as he drove forward.
Having created the space, Flint delivered an outstanding cross into the penalty area, where substitute Gui Rodrigues was perfectly positioned to meet the ball.
Rodrigues connected brilliantly on the volley, producing a superb finish to complete the scoring and round off an excellent team performance.
It was a goal worthy of winning any game and a fitting way to conclude another impressive attacking display from the Young Bees.
The final whistle confirmed a convincing 3-0 victory for Harborough, who combined patience in possession with aggressive pressing and clinical finishing to overcome a determined Thrapston side.
More importantly, the result extended the Young Bees’ remarkable start to the campaign, making it ten victories from their opening ten matches.
Another three points, another clean sheet and a perfect record maintained for Josh Unsworth’s side.
Head Coach Josh Unsworth said:
“I loved our patience today but how aggressive we were in the press was incredible.
Something we work on week in, week out and it shown today against a really tough team in Thrapston who kept us honest throughout.”