MATCH PREVIEW - HARBOROUGH TOWN
The Linnets begin their 2026/2027 Enterprise National League North season on home turf at the Docherty Walks Stadium on Saturday 8th August, welcoming newly promoted Harborough Town.
Last campaign, The Bees secured promotion to the National League North for the first time in their history as champions. After 42 games, they finished at the summit, winning 28 times, drawing 11, and losing just 3 all campaign. The wins were split evenly with 14 wins both home and away, but completing the campaign unbeaten on home soil. Away from Bowden Park, they only suffered 3 losses, meaning they will visit the Docherty Walks with high confidence and spirit.
Pre-season has been one of success for The Bees, with 4 wins and 3 draws from 7 matches. They beat Moulton FC 1-0 on Matchday one, a 4-all draw on Matchday two away to Real Bedford, a comfortable 7-0 win at home to Coventry United on Matchday three, a 2-0 win at home to Chesham United on Matchday four, a 1-0 win over St Ives Town at home on Matchday five, a 2-2 draw away at Farley Field against Quorn FC on Matchday six, and another 2-2 draw, this time away to Peterborough Sports, to round off the pre-season campaign.
Mitch Austin, Harborough Town’s First Team Manager, has made many additions to his title-winning side over the summer. Most notably the shock signing of the window, forward Britt Assombalonga, who is best known for his time in the Championship with the likes of Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, and Watford. An attempt to strengthen what was already a powerful forward line.
Speaking to Paul Caddis today, in a lengthy interview where he discussed our pre-season campaign, squad availability, and gave a rallying message to the fans, he complimented Harborough Town by saying, “They have got a mentality of winning games of football. They are off the back of a really successful season, but we expect them to come full of confidence, full of energy, full of physicality, but we feel that the work we’ve done, the players we’ve got, we can combat that.”
We are incredibly excited to welcome you all back to a league game at the Docherty Walks again, after what has been a difficult but highly enjoyable pre-season. The real stuff begins here, stick with us, and let’s enjoy the next 46 games.