After finishing in a very respectable 11th place last season with 66 points, Harborough Town were looking to continue preparations for their upcoming season with a tough encounter against Bedworth United who are two steps above. Manager, Stuart Spencer, knew that tonight’s match “would provide us with a different test to what the last couple of games have” and “the likelihood is we’re going to have to spend spells without the ball”.
During the opening exchanges of the first half, both teams seemed to be cancelling each other out with an even sharing of possession early on trying to find their rhythm. Captain Ben Williams looked composed in the heart of defence, playing searching balls into midfield where the impressively industrious Pete Taylor was often waiting to receive and initiate an attack.
However, Bedworth seemed to get into their stride and create the early danger starting with a speculative effort from 25 yards that fizzed just over the bar to start ringing the alarm bells for Harborough. The pressure continued to mount as their number 8 played a neat ball through to their number 7, bringing a good save from the left foot of Mike Turner and was well followed up by the defence to clear behind for a corner. Shortly after, number 7 was again causing problems as he cut in onto his right foot and fired into Turner’s midriff and was held comfortably.
Bedworth continued to pile forward with their number 10 as the architect down the left-hand side who showed remarkable strength before hanging up a tempting cross that was firmly planted into the top right corner by their number 11 to make it 1-0.
After the restart, Mike Turner continued to display his solid form in goal after a loose ball on the edge of the area found its way to their number 8 and captain who hit a rasping low shot which was sharply met by a strong right palm to carry it over the bar. Bedworth were beginning to dominate procedures with their troublesome number 7 thundering a half volley off the cross bar with an instinctive effort from the left-hand side of the box.
Harborough then suffered an unfortunate set back as right back, Nathan Benjamin, was forced off the pitch with an injury and was replaced by Jack Weight. This gave a chance for the players to take on some water and to assess their game plan.
Following the restart, Bedworth were award a corner which they took short and worked intricately into the area with their tricky number 9 eventually being brought down for a penalty kick. Their number 8 stepped up and coolly side-footed into the middle of the net to make it 2-0.
Harborough responded well after the restart and began to surge forward and press their backline with intent. A precise ball from Pete Taylor out to Jordan Lever on the right led to a terrifically tantalising cross that was headed home by their number 4 at centre half, following a confusion causing flicked header from Greg Usher at the near post to make it 2-1.
Just before the half time whistle, Bedworth’s speedy number 2 made a foray from right back before floating in a precise ball that was just out of reach of the leaping Pez Johnson and was headed home by their hardworking number 7 at the far post. The score was 3-1 going into the break.
Half time substitutions made by Stuart Spencer and Chris Church included Harry Henbury replacing Alfie Harris and Pernell Taylor-Jacobs coming on for Jamie Mastropierro to encourage some more attacking impetus and flair.
Shortly after the second half kicked off, their number 10 was again causing chaos, this time down the right hand right hand side before firing in a low cross that managed to evade all bodies until it eventually reached their number 7 at the far post who confidently slotted home for his second of the match to make it 4-1.
Claudio Aca was introduced to the game, replacing Aaron Preston who had played well, winning flick headers and providing solid hold up play to bring others into the match. Aca started brightly along with Henbury as they played a lovely one-two down the right-hand side before the ball found its way to Jordan Lever at the far post who struck a venomous shot into the anticipating defender who blocked bravely.
Greg Usher was then replaced up front by a trialist who took the number 12 jersey and made an immediate impact by steaming in on the keeper to block his clearance and cause a moment of mayhem.
Twice in quick succession, Bedworth’s midfield played slide rule passes trough to the forwards and both times Mike Turner was alert to close the angle and clear the danger.
Harborough began to venture forward with Lever creating space after a slaloming run down the left flank for Taylor-Jacobs who then hit a fierce strike just over the bar. Again Taylor-Jacobs was involved when he made a lung bursting run from midfield and stepped inside the defender before being agonisingly thwarted by the goalkeeper who threw himself onto the ball to smother the chance.
Bedworth then continued to pour forward as their number 11 went through on goal and went down over the outstretched arm of Mike Turner for their second penalty of the match. The captain stepped up to the spot once again and crashed the ball onto the right-hand post but was followed in by their numberless forward who reacted the quickest on the edge of the box.
The greens continued to press on as another incisive through ball to their number 11 led to him rounding Turner but ultimately placing the ball wide of the mark.
Approaching the final whistle, Bedworth’s number 15 jinked his way into the box and fired a vicious ball across the face of the goal which was brilliantly defended on the line by Ben Williams but ricocheted cruelly off the side of Turner and into the path of their expectant forward who easily finished for his second of the match.
The game ended 6-1 after being played in good spirits and was well contested by both sides. Not the result that Harborough were looking for but definitely plenty of positives that can be taken away against a very good outfit. Manager Stuart Spencer stated that this match “gives players the opportunity to state their claim” which it certainly did and has given them a good chance of being firm starters in his starting 11 for the new season.
