Harborough Town Reserves manager Tony Sansome:
“Harborough Town Res 2 Yaxley Res 1
Today’s game showed what is so great about the Reserve league this season. A …great game between two good sides, a number of spectators came to see me after the game and told me how much they enjoyed it. Yaxley had most of the possession first half but until we scored the first goal I felt we had the best chances. Louis Martin shot just past the post, and headed against the crossbar from a Tom Millington cross. We then scored on 32 when Jay Ironmonger went on a mazy run, he played Martin in, the keeper saved but it fell to Millington who slotted home. Yaxley then had ten minutes where they dominated, first skipper for the day Ben Dearsley made a great point blank save, then George Bott made a last ditch block and finally the Nr 4 hit the underside of the crossbar from close range, Dearsley gratefully claimed the ball. He then rolled it out, and the ball was played to Taylor Holland who dinked the ball over the top to Martin who seemingly beat 12 players before finally shooting past the keepers outstretched hand. Yaxley were no doubt scratching their heads at being 2-0 down instead of 1-1.
I thought we did well second half, yes Yaxley had more possession again but I felt we dealt with it better this half, except when they scored of us, we were largely playing on the counter attack, but sub Matt Chapman went close twice and a visiting defender nearly scored for us with a header that went just over. Dearsley was calm in goal and was ready for the ball played over the top. The whole team were outstanding today, Jack Clipston was probably our star man with Millington and Ironmonger on the flanks did well, and centre backs Sam Edwards and George Bott were strong under pressure, and Louis Martin has never worked as hard as he did today. To win today against quality opposition without leading scorer Josh King, inspirational skipper Jordie Burke was impressive and a few other important players.
Have to say I thought the ref was excellent, good luck to Yaxley who are a good bunch and to Loyd (😂) their manager and his management team. They beat us 5-1 on the opening day when I thought we played well, and they put us under more pressure today than they did that day which shows how much we’ve improved over the season. We now look forward to a local derby next week against Rothwell Corinthians.”
