Harborough Town boss Mitch Austin buzzing for Hednesford test after Bees win Darlington thriller
Ahead of an important Bank Holiday weekend double-header against Hednesford and Marine, Harborough Town are unbeaten and brimming with confidence.
Bees head coach Mitch Austin is delighted with how his side’s first four games in the National League North have gone, with last Saturday’s 4-2 comeback win over Darlington an early highlight.
Harborough went 1-0 up early on through Connor Kennedy but had to fight back after Darlington’s Dylan Stephenson and Patrick McLaughlin netted a quickfire double salvo before half-time.
It was a spirited response from the Bees after a passionate Austin team talk, resulting in Britt Assombalonga’s 57th-minute equaliser, Michael Jacobs’ 90th-minute strike and Callum Powell’s late fourth.
Austin told @HarbTownFC afterwards: “The boys have worked extremely hard to get that today. Credit to Darlington, they shocked us a bit with a couple of quick jabs to put us 2-1 down.
“It gave us uncertainty about whether we were capable of beating these. We just had to reinforce the good stuff we have been doing and thankfully the subs made a huge impact.”
Up to seventh in the English sixth tier, Harborough have an opportunity to cement their position in the play-off positions further this weekend.
The Bees travel away to Hednesford on Friday night before hosting Marine at the Beehive on Bank Holiday Monday.
On the prospect of facing Hednesford, Austin exclaimed: “That will be great, I can’t wait for that!
“We need to look forward to times like this, being to travel to Hednesford on a Friday, it’s going to be packed.
“They have a great fanbase and a great stadium. They'll be a bit disappointed with their start and will try to start their results against us.
“We certainly won’t be a pushover but we’re up against a really credible side who have their own ambitions. Like every game, we’ll take it every half at a time and be as good as we can.”
If Harborough are going to continue their strong beginning to the campaign, for Austin it’s all about his players maintaining their excellent work rate and attitude.
“All we can ask for as managers is to apply yourself right, to have good men in the changing room,” the gaffer added.
“I want to see what you’re like when the chips are down, not when you’re celebrating. There are no characteristics built when you win.
“I didn’t know what I was going to get out of the new lads because this is very new to them, but being down at half time is probably my favourite position to be in.
“I need that underdog, down and out and impossible to win feeling. I know it’s a league fixture, but I need to treat every one like a final.”