Just being back has been enough as Harborough bid for a final spot

Mitch Austin's Harborough Town are hoping to reach the final of the United Counties League's supplementary competition
Harborough Town are hoping to make it through to the final of the United Counties League's supplementary competition. Picture by Andrew CarpenterHarborough Town are hoping to make it through to the final of the United Counties League's supplementary competition. Picture by Andrew Carpenter
Harborough Town are hoping to make it through to the final of the United Counties League's supplementary competition. Picture by Andrew Carpenter

Harborough Town have the chance to book themselves a place in the final of the uhlsport United Counties League supplementary competition this weekend.

The Bees head to GNG Oadby Town which sees the top two in the group stage of the Kingfisher Lighting Premier Division Cup going head-to-head.

A win will guarantee Mitch Austin’s team a place in the final while a draw could be enough for both teams to contest what will be the last game before the summer break.

Austin has hailed the supplementary competition as a success, simply because it has allowed clubs to be able to play again after their league campaign was curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Harborough picked up their third win from four group games on Saturday as goals from James Ireland and Scott Mooney earned them a 2-0 home success over ON Chenecks.

And while reaching the final would be pleasing, Austin insists the main benefit has been being able to bring the club’s first-team back together.

“It’s just been good to be back and being in and around the players again,” the Harborough boss said.

“As much as I might say the results aren’t important, they are in some respect because it’s building for next season.

“But the short-term benefits have been getting people back together, socialising and remembering why we love the game.

“People have been working and spending more time with their families and football wasn’t everyone’s first priority to go back to.

“I think this cup has been a good idea for the players and the committee members. It’s been great from a social side of things.

“We have done okay on the pitch and that is a bonus.

“There is a flipside to it, of course. We could have played four games, lost them and then say this was the worst idea ever.

“But, for me, we haven’t played that well. We have done what we have had to do.

“The final is there so we might as well go for it. We will try our best and if we don’t get there then it will still have been great to have these five matches and have the boys back together again.”

Lutterworth Town can’t finish in the top two in the Premier Division Cup after a 0-0 draw with Rothwell Corinthians last weekend. The Swifts finish the mini season with a home game against Pinchbeck United on Saturday.