Next up, the Bucks travel to The Beehive to face newly promoted Harborough Town on Saturday, 12th September, in a 3:00 pm kick-off.
The Bees have made a solid start to life at Step 2, collecting 11 points from their opening eight matches. The Bucks, meanwhile, arrive with momentum after consecutive 1-0 victories over Scarborough Athletic and Oxford City.
Those back-to-back clean sheets have lifted Kevin Wilkin’s side to eight points, while Harborough will be looking to respond after successive defeats against Brackley Town and Hereford.
The Bee Team
Harborough boast depth and experience across the back line. Long‑serving goalkeeper Elliot Taylor remains a reliable ever‑present, now approaching 200 appearances, supported by talented young keeper Jake Laban, who impressed on loan at Rushall Olympic.
Across defence, signing George Carline adds versatility and attacking threat, while Silvio Bello arrived from Quorn as a tough, adaptable option. The central defensive unit is particularly strong: Alex Morris, a towering defender, is likely to be paired with Liam Dolman, whose vast experience includes back-to-back promotions with Tamworth. Rory McAuley, with over 200 National League games, adds further depth, along with Paul Malone.
On the left, Eliot Putman provides quality and flexibility, while Josh Walsh, now past 300 club appearances, contributes both defensively and creatively from deeper positions.
The midfield group mixes creativity, physicality and experience. Devon Kelly‑Evans impressed after joining from Kettering, offering tenacity and invention. Connor Kennedy is a driving force in his fourth season, contributing possession play, leadership and goals. Robert Morgan remains influential despite last season’s injuries, while Italian‑born Prince Mancinelli adds power and charisma after catching the manager’s eye at Quorn. Attacking midfielder Dempsey Arlott‑John provides pace and goal threat from wide areas, though injury curtailed his impact last season.
Harborough’s forward options are varied and dangerous. Jutorre Burgess, promoted from the Development Squad, showed promise before injury, while Callum Powell offers direct running and creativity. Sam Osborne, with strong National League pedigree, strengthens the attacking midfield/forward line after a successful spell at Hereford.
Riley O’Sullivan adds energy and goals, while proven striker Danny Newton brings Step 1 experience and a track record of scoring in promotion‑winning sides. Young forwards Lovell Edwards and Archie O’Donnell step up from the Development Squad, and the headline arrival Britt Assombalonga adds Championship‑level pedigree to the front line.
Form
Harborough’s opening eight league matches have brought three wins, two draws and three defeats. Their recent sequence includes victories over Darlington and Marine, followed by losses at Brackley and at home to Hereford.
Telford have responded to a difficult opening spell with consecutive victories and clean sheets. The recent switch to a back three, supported by wingbacks, has provided greater defensive stability, with Orrin Pendley impressing in the win at Scarborough Athletic and being selected into the National League North ‘Team of the Week’.
Top Scorers
Harborough: Britt Assombalonga: 3
Telford: Matt Stenson: 4
The Boss
Mitch Austin leads Harborough Town and has overseen the club’s transition into the National League North. After the midweek defeat to Hereford, he called on his side to reflect, regroup and produce a response against the Bucks.
Colours
Bees:
Shirt: Yellow
Shorts: Yellow
Socks: Yellow
Bucks:
Shirt: Pink
Shorts: Black
Socks: Black
Match Officials
Referee: Oliver Noonan.
Assistant: Alexander Cotterill.
Assistant: Bradley Maw.
Fourth Official: Matt Rose.
The Last Time We Met
The sides last met in the Southern Premier Division Central in 2024/25. The Bucks collected all three points at Bowden Park in October, with goals from Remi Walker and Ricardo Dinanga, before the return fixture at the SEAH Stadium ended in a goalless draw.
How to Follow
If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the action in several ways.
· The Live Game Centre on the club’s smartphone app and website will carry live text updates.
· The club’s X feed will provide text commentary, while Facebook and Instagram will carry major updates including team news, goals, and the half-time and full-time scores.
· App users can receive notifications for every goal and for the half-time and full-time scores.
· Local radio coverage should be checked on matchday.