Harborough Town ready to sting above their weight in dream FA Cup tie at Leyton Orient
History beckons for Harborough Town this Saturday, November 7, as the Bees travel to Leyton Orient for a momentous Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper clash.
FA Cup fever is rapidly becoming a regular feeling for the Harborough contingent, and this season's run is comfortably up there with the absolute best in the club's history.
The Bees, flying high at new heights and enjoying a competitive start to their debut National League North campaign, are in the First Round Proper for just the second time.
For north London-born Bees manager Mitch Austin, Leyton Orient away is a dream tie and one many of his O’s-supporting family members will be flocking to.
The journey here has been nothing short of scintillating, with a dramatic 3-2 victory over St Albans City standing out as the defining highlight so far.
Netting a perfect hat-trick, including a dramatic 101st-minute winner, forward Dempsey Arlott-John saw his name plastered all over social media feeds across non-league football. And for good reason.
Remarkably, Harborough were trailing 1-0 until the 84th minute when Arlott-John grabbed his first. That sent the Beehive faithful wild enough, but sheer bedlam soon followed.
Arlott-John slotted home again on 98 minutes for a 2-1 lead. Surely the winner? Not quite. Inih Effiong looked to have forced a replay when he equalised for St Albans in the tenth minute of stoppage time.
Step up once more, the hero of the hour: Arlott-John claimed the match ball with a breathtaking strike to seal the tie with virtually the last kick of the game.
Having also navigated qualifiers against Rushall Olympic and Spennymoor Town, Austin’s side arrive in the capital determined to ensure their historic story doesn't end here.
Yes, the National League North is ultimately more important, but there’s something particularly special about a cup run. And it’s not like there’s a league game in the immediate aftermath, with the next away at Merthyr Town on November 14.
The Bees will do everything in their power to sting above their weight at Brisbane Road. And, with a noisy and buzzing yellow away end expected, it may not feel like an away tie at all.