Post by hatter_in_macc on Feb 4, 2016 9:54:39 GMT
Busy day yesterday - with just enough time to pen this report, but not, alas, to share it on here. Apologies, fellow Heaveners.
Anyway, better late than never... possibly!
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HARROGATE TOWN v COUNTY: MATCH REPORT (02/02/2016)
By Hatter in Macc
Re-run Narrowly Beats Both The Weather And The Hatters
County suffered a first defeat following the return of Jim Gannon, and with a scoreline that precisely duplicated Harrogate’s win, by the odd goal in three, at Edgeley Park on Boxing Day. But the Hatters will have taken encouragement from a performance that was much improved on their showing in the reverse-fixture during the festive period.
Having already, since Gannon’s appointment just over a fortnight earlier, visited Congleton’s Richborough Estates Stadium and played Gloucester at the World of Smile Stadium, the Hatters again faced opposition at a ground re-named by sponsors. The CNG Stadium - or Wetherby Road, in old money - should have been their destination a month to the day previously, although heavy rain had led to the match being postponed on that occasion.
Meteorological history from 2nd January was almost to repeat itself, as preceding downpours led to a 5pm precautionary inspection on 2nd February. And, while that saw the pitch passed as fit for play - to the relief of many of those making the trip who would have been well on their way North-Eastwards by then - it was a decidedly heavy-looking surface that greeted the arrival of County’s travelling contingent.
Three players had joined the Club since the draw with Gloucester, and each of them - namely, Obi Anoruo, Richard Brodie and Conor Smith - was to feature in the 4-3-3 starting line-up. Smith had, in fact, been originally named among the substitutes, but the Fleetwood loanee’s inclusion in midfield was confirmed just prior to kick-off - and after a recurrence of Glenn Rule’s Achilles problem had… erm, ruled him out.
Kevin Holsgrove and John Marsden had already stepped down (to the bench, in the case of the latter), while Delial Brewster had returned to Everton following his Youth Loan-spell in SK3. Jamie Menagh joined the new signings on the pitch, and Charlie Russell was a late replacement substitute for the promoted Smith.
The decision to hand a start to Smith was close to being a masterstroke with just nine minutes played, as he latched onto a cross by Karl Ledsham from the left. Although the ball fell somewhere between Smith’s knee and foot, the young midfielder managed to connect and loop an effort goal-wards - only for it to hit the crossbar.
The Hatters had made a bright start, and Harrogate’s first attack of note was not to occur until some ten minutes later. Brendan Daniels, after being played through by Lloyd Kerry, saw his shot take a deflection before being kept out by the outstretched leg of Dean Henderson.
County, however, continued to enjoy the greater share of possession, and soon afterwards took the lead. Brodie - well known in the locality, following his successful exploits for York - ensured that his debut for the Hatters could be a goal-scoring one by rising to meet a well-flighted free kick by Menagh from the left, and heading home from close range.
The big striker entertained notions of making his first appearance in a County shirt even more memorable, when, moments later, he lined up to connect with a neat lay-off back from Anoruo - although Brodie’s shot was launched into orbit against a menacing backdrop of swirling drizzle in the night sky.
Paul Clayton was to fire wide of the Hatters’ left post as the half drew to a close - but the break, when it arrived, heralded the end of forty-five minutes in which the Hatters had been the better side and were good value for their lead. Heck - even the light rain had stopped! Life seemed sweet…
HALF-TIME: Harrogate 0, County 1 (Brodie, 25).
The hosts sounded an immediate declaration of intent upon the re-start - making an attacking double-substitution, with the introduction of Jordan Thewlis (who had scored the winning goal after being brought on at EP) and Jack Emmett.
And, within four minutes, they were back on equal terms. A corner from Daniels on the right hovered ominously towards the six-yard box, where Clayton reacted quickest to volley his side level.
A shot apiece from distance followed, in the form of efforts by Thewlis and, subsequently, Lewis Montrose that were comfortably caught by the respective goalkeepers. The Hatters were then to endure much more of a scare when a Daniels free kick from the left was parried by Henderson into the path of Nat Brown. Much to County’s relief, Brown blasted over the empty net - and additional comfort was provided in the form of a raised flag for offside.
County looked to have a claim for a penalty, as Anoruo went to ground in the home box under a challenge by Thirlwell. Instead, the Hatters had to be content with a free kick on the edge of the area - although Menagh went close with his delivery, which skimmed the bar on its flight beyond goal.
Harrogate’s half-time substitutes had brought some freshness to proceedings on an energy-sapping playing area, and both made concerted efforts to get their names on the score-sheet. Thewlis slid an effort beyond the right post after the Sulpherites had countered - and Emmett also shot wide, following another dangerous-looking free kick from Daniels that was only partially cleared.
But the hosts made no mistake with their next chance, with just ten minutes left on the clock. A fourth corner of the half for them led to the ball falling to Warren Burrell, who converted from just inside the box.
Having fallen behind, and performed less convincingly since the interval, the Hatters made every effort to save the game during its closing stages: Marsden, with a first kick following his introduction, stung the hands of Peter Crook before a flag went up; Danny Morton fired wide from outside the home area; and Ledsham, fed by Marsden, sliced wide from the left of goal, after the ball had bobbled awkwardly on a pitch that was now cutting up considerably.
In the dying seconds came, arguably, the best chance of all. Menagh was played through by Anoruo, before seeing his shot deflected behind by the legs of Crook… whose name, if nothing else, gives justifiable cause to the conclusion that ‘we wuz robbed’ - of a point, in all probability.
And, at least, those travelling back across the Pennines will have enjoyed a small victory by beating the snow as it prepared to close in overnight!
FULL TIME: Harrogate 2 (Clayton, 49; Burrell, 80), County 1 (Brodie, 25).
Team: Henderson, Morton, Roberts (Marsden, 82), Montrose, O’Hanlon, Smalley, Anoruo, Smith (Russell, 88), Brodie (Odejayi, 68), Menagh, Ledsham.
Unused Subs: Ormson, Connolly.
Booked: Menagh, Montrose.
Attendance: 570.
Anyway, better late than never... possibly!
*****************************************************************************************************
HARROGATE TOWN v COUNTY: MATCH REPORT (02/02/2016)
By Hatter in Macc
Re-run Narrowly Beats Both The Weather And The Hatters
County suffered a first defeat following the return of Jim Gannon, and with a scoreline that precisely duplicated Harrogate’s win, by the odd goal in three, at Edgeley Park on Boxing Day. But the Hatters will have taken encouragement from a performance that was much improved on their showing in the reverse-fixture during the festive period.
Having already, since Gannon’s appointment just over a fortnight earlier, visited Congleton’s Richborough Estates Stadium and played Gloucester at the World of Smile Stadium, the Hatters again faced opposition at a ground re-named by sponsors. The CNG Stadium - or Wetherby Road, in old money - should have been their destination a month to the day previously, although heavy rain had led to the match being postponed on that occasion.
Meteorological history from 2nd January was almost to repeat itself, as preceding downpours led to a 5pm precautionary inspection on 2nd February. And, while that saw the pitch passed as fit for play - to the relief of many of those making the trip who would have been well on their way North-Eastwards by then - it was a decidedly heavy-looking surface that greeted the arrival of County’s travelling contingent.
Three players had joined the Club since the draw with Gloucester, and each of them - namely, Obi Anoruo, Richard Brodie and Conor Smith - was to feature in the 4-3-3 starting line-up. Smith had, in fact, been originally named among the substitutes, but the Fleetwood loanee’s inclusion in midfield was confirmed just prior to kick-off - and after a recurrence of Glenn Rule’s Achilles problem had… erm, ruled him out.
Kevin Holsgrove and John Marsden had already stepped down (to the bench, in the case of the latter), while Delial Brewster had returned to Everton following his Youth Loan-spell in SK3. Jamie Menagh joined the new signings on the pitch, and Charlie Russell was a late replacement substitute for the promoted Smith.
The decision to hand a start to Smith was close to being a masterstroke with just nine minutes played, as he latched onto a cross by Karl Ledsham from the left. Although the ball fell somewhere between Smith’s knee and foot, the young midfielder managed to connect and loop an effort goal-wards - only for it to hit the crossbar.
The Hatters had made a bright start, and Harrogate’s first attack of note was not to occur until some ten minutes later. Brendan Daniels, after being played through by Lloyd Kerry, saw his shot take a deflection before being kept out by the outstretched leg of Dean Henderson.
County, however, continued to enjoy the greater share of possession, and soon afterwards took the lead. Brodie - well known in the locality, following his successful exploits for York - ensured that his debut for the Hatters could be a goal-scoring one by rising to meet a well-flighted free kick by Menagh from the left, and heading home from close range.
The big striker entertained notions of making his first appearance in a County shirt even more memorable, when, moments later, he lined up to connect with a neat lay-off back from Anoruo - although Brodie’s shot was launched into orbit against a menacing backdrop of swirling drizzle in the night sky.
Paul Clayton was to fire wide of the Hatters’ left post as the half drew to a close - but the break, when it arrived, heralded the end of forty-five minutes in which the Hatters had been the better side and were good value for their lead. Heck - even the light rain had stopped! Life seemed sweet…
HALF-TIME: Harrogate 0, County 1 (Brodie, 25).
The hosts sounded an immediate declaration of intent upon the re-start - making an attacking double-substitution, with the introduction of Jordan Thewlis (who had scored the winning goal after being brought on at EP) and Jack Emmett.
And, within four minutes, they were back on equal terms. A corner from Daniels on the right hovered ominously towards the six-yard box, where Clayton reacted quickest to volley his side level.
A shot apiece from distance followed, in the form of efforts by Thewlis and, subsequently, Lewis Montrose that were comfortably caught by the respective goalkeepers. The Hatters were then to endure much more of a scare when a Daniels free kick from the left was parried by Henderson into the path of Nat Brown. Much to County’s relief, Brown blasted over the empty net - and additional comfort was provided in the form of a raised flag for offside.
County looked to have a claim for a penalty, as Anoruo went to ground in the home box under a challenge by Thirlwell. Instead, the Hatters had to be content with a free kick on the edge of the area - although Menagh went close with his delivery, which skimmed the bar on its flight beyond goal.
Harrogate’s half-time substitutes had brought some freshness to proceedings on an energy-sapping playing area, and both made concerted efforts to get their names on the score-sheet. Thewlis slid an effort beyond the right post after the Sulpherites had countered - and Emmett also shot wide, following another dangerous-looking free kick from Daniels that was only partially cleared.
But the hosts made no mistake with their next chance, with just ten minutes left on the clock. A fourth corner of the half for them led to the ball falling to Warren Burrell, who converted from just inside the box.
Having fallen behind, and performed less convincingly since the interval, the Hatters made every effort to save the game during its closing stages: Marsden, with a first kick following his introduction, stung the hands of Peter Crook before a flag went up; Danny Morton fired wide from outside the home area; and Ledsham, fed by Marsden, sliced wide from the left of goal, after the ball had bobbled awkwardly on a pitch that was now cutting up considerably.
In the dying seconds came, arguably, the best chance of all. Menagh was played through by Anoruo, before seeing his shot deflected behind by the legs of Crook… whose name, if nothing else, gives justifiable cause to the conclusion that ‘we wuz robbed’ - of a point, in all probability.
And, at least, those travelling back across the Pennines will have enjoyed a small victory by beating the snow as it prepared to close in overnight!
FULL TIME: Harrogate 2 (Clayton, 49; Burrell, 80), County 1 (Brodie, 25).
Team: Henderson, Morton, Roberts (Marsden, 82), Montrose, O’Hanlon, Smalley, Anoruo, Smith (Russell, 88), Brodie (Odejayi, 68), Menagh, Ledsham.
Unused Subs: Ormson, Connolly.
Booked: Menagh, Montrose.
Attendance: 570.
