Harborough Town 45s get off to a flying start

Harborough Town's over-45s started their new season in the Leicester City Football League Veterans Section 45s Division in emphatic style, with a thrilling 8-2 opening-day victory against last season's divisional winners, Magna 73s.

Back row L-R: Leo Paul, Mark Chilton, Dave Buckle, Kris Francis, Dan Church, Lee Pears, Neil Denny, Martin Cripwell
Front row L-R: Kev Burgess, Chris Brylka, Ian White, Gary Owen, Zunaid Mulla, Alex Almeida — Back row L-R: Leo Paul, Mark Chilton, Dave Buckle, Kris Francis, Dan Church, Lee Pears, Neil Denny, Martin Cripwell Front row L-R: Kev Burgess, Chris Brylka, Ian White, Gary Owen, Zunaid Mulla, Alex Almeida | Pat Howland

placeholder image — Back row L-R: Leo Paul, Mark Chilton, Dave Buckle, Kris Francis, Dan Church, Lee Pears, Neil Denny, Martin Cripwell Front row L-R: Kev Burgess, Chris Brylka, Ian White, Gary Owen, Zunaid Mulla, Alex Almeida | Pat Howland

There were welcome new starts for Kev Burgess, Alex Almeida and Dave Buckle, who have all now reached the milestone making them eligible to play. There was also a warm welcome to 'Speedy' Mulla, who has joined from a different club.

Harborough could not have got off to a better start as evergreen striker Chris Brylka slotted home after only one minute, taking on the Magna defence head-on.

Veteran Gaz Owen tripled the lead within 10 minutes, including a 25-yard screamer. After 30 minutes, Harborough had essentially sealed the result as they went six up with goals from Martin Cripwell, Speedy Mulla and a second for Brylka.

The newbies were introduced at half time and slotted in nicely. Kev Burgess was solid at left back, Alex Almeida used his fitness to track up and down the right flank, and Dave Buckle extended Harborough's lead to seven, ten minutes into the second half in his role as striker.

Magna got a couple of consolation goals towards the end, whilst Brylka completed his hat-trick to leave the final score as 8-2 to Harborough.

The scoreline didn't fully reflect the game as Magna were a well-organised and competitive team.

The midfield was the area on the pitch equally contested, and Owen and Cripwell needed to work hard. The difference in this game was that Harborough's back four of Denny, Francis, Chilton and White are a well-established unit, who, with keeper Church aiding in organisation, managed to deal with Magna's chances comfortably.

At the other end, the pace of Brylka and especially Mulla was a thorn in the side of Magna's defence all game.

Harborough's next clash is an away fixture against Dunton and Broughton on Saturday, September 19.