MITCH HAS GOT THE GLORY ITCH

AMBITIOUS Mitch Austin reckons he's gone from heartbreak to euphoria in the closing weeks of another successful season at Harborough Town.

- John Lyons

The Bees looked to be on course for their second league title in three seasons, only to be left reeling by a sixpoint deduction last month for fielding an ineligible player midfielder Connor Kennedy in wins against Gresley Rovers and Bedworth United.

It saw them drop to third in the NPL Midlands table and paved the way for Spalding United to grab the crown instead.

Some wondered whether the Leicestershire side would be able to recover from that setback when they ended up in the play-offs, but they showed their steel to win 2-0 at second-placed Anstey Nomads in the final, courtesy of goals from Kai Tonge and Luis Rose.

"The best way was to use it as motivation," said Austin, who took the reins in late 2020 and guided the Bees to the United Counties Premier Division South title in 202122.