An estimated crowd of 3500 saw Harrogate Town begin their pre-season programme with an entertaining 1-1 draw against Leeds United.
Before the game, Town’s new,Wetherby Road stand was officially opened by ex Leeds and Scotland star,Gary McAllister.
Harrogate made the brighter start and Marco Silvestri had to produce a point blank save to deny Cecil Nyoni and seconds later he did well to turn a Joe Colbeck free kick round the post.
Leeds began to threaten and Danny Ellis was forced into a desperate clearance to keep the Town goal intact.
A powerful run by Chris Wood ended with him hitting the side netting and Mirco Antenucci forced Peter Crook into a good low save.
However, Town were giving the United defence a torrid time and Silvestri had to make a superb save to keep out Dave McGurk’s low header.
This was only a stay of execution for Leeds,because after 31 minutes a Joe Colbeck free kick took a deflection and Silvestri could only divert the ball into the path of the unmarked Nyoni, who rifled home from close range.
Leeds hit back strongly and Crook made a full length save from Antenucci to ensure Town took their lead into the break.
As promised, Uwe Rosler fielded a completely different side in the second half,while Town also made wholesale changes.
It took only four minutes for United to level when the unmarked Steve Morrison headed in Souleymane Doukara’s deep cross.
Several penetrative runs by Rob Worral stretched the United defence and James Cadman showed some good touches in midfield.
Peter Crook’s last action before being replaced by Ben Hunter was a magnificent close range save to thwart Leeds.
A late Town free kick sailed narrowly over,but both teams had to settle for a creditable draw.
By John Harrison.
