Austin ready for Real Bedford test after Bees sink Stortford to regain top spot
Boss Mitch Austin was delighted with his Harborough Town team as they returned to the top of the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central with a 3-0 win at Bishop's Stortford on Tuesday night.
The Bees had the result wrapped up by half-time as they led 3-0 thanks to goals from Danny Newton, Robert Morgan and Ben Stephens.
The win saw Harborough finally leapfrog Spalding United to go two points clear, and they still have two games in hand on the Tulips.
Tuesday's win was particularly pleasing for Austin and his players, as the Bees had already made a midweek trip to Bishop's Stortford last month, only for the match to be postponed an hour before kick-off due to a waterlogged pitch.
"We were at it, we were on it, and credit to the boys they have given is a good advantage in the first half," the Harborough boss told @HarbTownFC.
"It is a long journey, it is a lot of commitment for the lads and we have been here once already and luckily we have come away with the three points.
"It has been a long time since we have been 3-0 up at half-time, and it was what we needed.
"Our previous Tuesday night away game we had lost and there were a lot of question marks, a lot of people hoping we weren't going to get a result, so to start like that and setting the tone was great, so full credit to the boys.
"Everyone was seven out of 10 with a sprinkling of eights, certainly in the first half, and then it was about being professional in the second."
Harborough will now be looking to maintain top spot, but they have a tough encounter at the weekend as they host third-placed Real Bedford in what will be the first of two meetings between the clubs inside the space of 10 days, with the Bees going to Bedford on March 24.
Managed by Rob Sinclair, Real Bedford are enjoying a strong first season at Step 3, having won three successive league titles and promotions.
They have stuttered after a recent seven-match winning streak and were beaten 1-0 at Quron last weekend, but Austin is anticipating a tough afternoon at the Bee Hive (ko 3pm).
"It is a big game," said the Bees boss. "We haven't played each other yet, they have a great young manager although he has been a bit weird with me lately, because he doesn't talk too much to me any more.
"Sincs used to be on the phone every week, now we don't talk, so hopefully he talks to me before the game.
"His team is an all-possession side, they are a good side, so let's see what they are like against the Bees and may the best team win."
Meanwhile, the club have announced that Luis Rose has departed the Bees, with the striker returning to former club Anstey Nomads after two years at the Bee Hive.
A club statement read: "The Bees can confirm that Luis Rose has left the club in search of more game time.
"Luis’s goal in the 2023/24 play-off final will forever be etched in Bees' history, and with over 85 appearances and 18 goals, he has played a huge part in our journey. He leaves with the best wishes of everyone at The Beehive for the future."