Harrogate Town came from behind to gain a 2-1 victory over Stalybridge Celtic.
The teams were led out by “Mr Harrogate Town”,club official ‘Johnny Walker,who is 80 years young on Monday.Johnny has been a stalwart at Town for well over 60 years.
After a sterile first 25 minutes, in which chances were at a premium, the match sparked into life with two goals in two minutes.
Celtic’s Obi Anorua fired a warning shot across Town’s bows when he broke through the Town defence, but his measured shot was just the wrong side of the post.
Town didn’t heed the warning,and on 26 minutes, Paul Ennis broke down the left, before releasing a defence splitting pass which Sean McConville swept home.
Within two minutes, Town were level.
Liam Hardy’s run was halted by the Celtic defence, but Adam Nowakowski was on hand to supply a pinpoint centre which Chris Hall headed home from close range.
Stalybridge continued to threaten and a well worked free kick between Ennis and McConville, ended with Ennis shooting wide.
As half time approached, Town had a let off when Craig MacGillivray could only parry Anoruo’s shot into the path of Ennis whose sidefoot into the net was ruled out by Assistant Referee,Paul Stalker’s, offside flag.
Town started the second period in in more determined fashion with Craig Nelthorpe’s snap shot flashing past the upright.
On 58 minutes, Hardy’s last act before making way for new signing,Nathan Cartman,was to win a corner.
Steve Mallory’s deep cross was too much for the Celtic defence and “Man of the Match”, Nowakowski prodded in at the far post.
Minutes later, Mallory’s superbly delivered free kick was headed inches over by Nowakowski,as Town turned the screw.
Town coasted to the final whistle, to record their first league win since December the 14th.
Town,
1 MacGillivray, 2 Samuels, 3 Merris, 4 Brown (Bloomer 75 mins), 5 Heath, 6 Killock (c), 7 Mallory, 8 Nowakowski, 9 Hall, 10 Hardy ( Cartman 59),11 Nelthorpe ( Taylor 67).
Unused subs, 14 Worsfold, 17 Smith.
Scorers, Hall 28, Nowakowski 58.
Bookings nil Att 454
By John Harrison.
