Bourne Town beat Harrowby United in the United Counties League

Three first half goals fired Bourne Town to a 13th successive victory in all competitions on Boxing Day.

The Wakes were 3-0 home winners over Harrowby United to maintain their push for honours in the United Counties League Premier Division North.

They remain four points adrift of league leaders Eastwood CFC with two games in hand after another solid showing.

Tom Siddons struck twice in eight first half minutes to give Bourne control of the contest before Zak Munton wrapped up the win just before half-time.

Harrowby arrived on the back of a four-match losing run and knew they would be in for a tough afternoon and it wasn't helped with them having no fewer than eight senior players missing.

Player-manager Jamie McGhee had to start alongside new signing Kern Miller in defence with makeshift full-backs in Harrison Dee - who had a great game - and Ethan Greenidge who was making his first start since breaking his ankle in the opening game of the season.

Harrowby had gone close to breaking the deadlock in the opening exchanges with Jack Gurney rattling the home crossbar with a well-struck shot early on.

Bourne responded with Robbie Ellis seeing a shot being tipped to safety by Arrows goalkeeper Alex Smith.

The Wakes then took an 11th minute lead when Siddons won the race for an Ellis through ball with Smith before sliding his finish past the advancing Harrowby goalkeeper.

The Arrows were still creating chances and Brima Dirarmy had a great opportunity to level it up but shot wide while home goalkeeper Dan Swan again made a good save from Harry Allcock.

The difference between the sides was that Bourne took their chances and the lead was doubled eight minutes later as a Kyle Rowell cross landed invitingly for Siddons who rifled his finish high into the Harrowby net.

Home goalkeeper Swan made a smart stop from a Harrowby free-kick before Smith excelled at the other end to turn a goalbound shot from Zak Munton onto the crossbar.

Swan blocked at a close range effort to deny Harrowby a way back into the contest before Munton curled a shot past the far post at the other end.

The third Bourne goal arrived two minutes before half-time as Siddons turned provider by slipping the ball into the path of Munton who fired his finish past Smith.

Ellis had a further opportunity to increase the lead ahead of the interval but swept his shot wide when unmarked at the back post.

Smith produced another superb save to deny Siddons his hat-trick after the break before Munton shot wide when well-placed.

Swan was again called into action to turn away a low drive from Brima Darama before Smith foiled Will Bird with ex-Wake Dee completing the goalline clearance to prevent the Wakes from adding to their tally.

Harrowby can be proud of the effort they put in and they created some good chances in the second half with Allcock bringing Swan again into action.

Bourne then finished the game with 10 men when full-back Dan Flack was sent off after collecting his second caution of the match.

The Wakes now face a tough trip to third-placed Lincoln United on Saturday.

For the players Harrowby had available, they could be buoyed with the chances they created and on another day would have pushed Bourne all the way.

It has been a great year for the Arrows after promotion to the Premier Division where they sit in mid-table going into 2025.

With players back from suspension and injury for their fixture away to Shirebrook on Saturday, boss McGhee will be looking for a change in fortune.