Leicestershire County Football League
Turner Insurance Services Premiership
Harborough Town Spencers have made an impressive start to the new season, recording back-to-back victories over Whetstone Athletic Reserves and FC Coalville to collect maximum points from their opening two league fixtures.
Following a faultless pre-season campaign, Spencers began their competitive schedule at home to Whetstone Athletic Reserves on Saturday 5 September.
Despite not quite finding their usual fluency, Spencers produced a controlled display against hardworking opponents to secure a comfortable 3–0 victory and a clean sheet.
The hosts could have opened the scoring inside the opening five minutes when a fine run and cross from Hashim Amodmia was almost converted by Alex Kemp. Kemp and Hubert Witkowski both fashioned further opportunities shortly afterwards, but their efforts from tight angles went wide.
The breakthrough arrived after 19 minutes. Kian Fowell’s long pass released full-back Ferdos Afzali, who rounded the goalkeeper before firing into the empty net to mark his debut with a goal.
Spencers lost some of their early rhythm during the remainder of the half but remained in control and took a 1–0 advantage into the interval.
Whetstone began the second half positively and came close to an equaliser when an effort struck the crossbar. Spencers gradually rediscovered their stride, however, and doubled their advantage around the hour mark.
Substitute Theo Gyamfi collected a pass from Cam Dunbar before unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard effort into the top corner.
Witkowski made it 3–0 just a few minutes later, capitalising on a defensive error and making no mistake with the finish. Further opportunities followed, with the visiting goalkeeper producing a couple of good saves to prevent Spencers from adding to the scoreline.
It was a deserved victory and a solid team performance, with competitive debuts handed to Afzali, Fowell, Amodmia and brothers Ismail and Shuaib Dirir. Goalscorer Afzali was named Man of the Match.
Full-time: Harborough Town Spencers 3–0 Whetstone Athletic Reserves
One week later, Spencers travelled to face newly promoted FC Coalville, who had won the Championship the previous season.
Coalville made the stronger start and deservedly took the lead through a well-struck direct free-kick, driven low to the left of goalkeeper Ismail Dirir.
Spencers gradually settled into the contest and drew level after 21 minutes. A perfectly weighted through ball released Gyamfi, who rounded the goalkeeper before seeing his shot handled by a home defender. Although the effort may have been heading wide, the defender took no chances and conceded a penalty.
Kemp stepped forward and confidently converted from the spot to restore parity. The remainder of the first half was evenly contested, with neither side able to create another clear opportunity.
Spencers enjoyed the better of the second period. Fowell played an excellent pass to send Gyamfi through on goal, but the forward fired wide. Harry Naylor then worked himself into a promising position but elected to pass rather than shoot.
Coalville almost regained the lead when an effort struck the underside of the crossbar, bounced down on the line and was eventually cleared to safety.
Spencers moved ahead after 72 minutes through a spectacular strike from Witkowski. After being found by Saidu Sesay, he produced an outstanding finish which gave the goalkeeper no chance.
The hosts threatened an equaliser when Dirir was dispossessed, but the resulting effort struck the post and went to safety.
Moments later, Spencers extended their lead. A long kick from Dirir evaded the Coalville defence and allowed Gyamfi to race through unchallenged, round the goalkeeper and calmly slot the ball home.
Coalville were subsequently reduced to ten players following a second yellow card, although they continued to work hard in search of a route back into the contest.
Max Aldridge and George Tong formed another solid partnership at centre-back, while Sesay impressed with his overlapping runs from full-back. Man of the Match honours went to Witkowski, who caused the hosts problems throughout.
Full-time: FC Coalville 1–3 Harborough Town Spencers
Two victories, six goals and six points represent an excellent start to the new Premiership campaign for Spencers.
Attention now turns to the League Cup, with another newly promoted side, Market Bosworth Town, providing the opposition on Saturday.