Harrogate Town defied a strong wind and heavy rain, to add to their fine away record with a two nil victory over fifteenth placed,Ebbsfleet United.
Jack Emmett returned to Town’s starting line up,while Jordan Thewlis made a welcome return to the subs bench for the first time since sustaining an injury in a pre season friendly.
It was the visitors who almost drew first blood when a poor clearance from ‘Fleet keeper,Nathan Ashmore,almost let in George Thomson,but the custodian recovered quickly to snuff out the danger.
Both sides found it difficult to create chances in the squally conditions,but it was Town who took the lead on the half hour with a trademark goal.
Thomson had a shot deflected for a corner which was taken by Joe Leesley and Callum Howe was on hand at the far post to head in.
As the break approached,Ebbsfleet had a great opportunity to level,when Chris Bush’s centre to the back post was hammered over the bar by Myles Weston.
In the second half Town were playing into the wind and rain and the pitch began to become saturated ,but the back four stood firm and reduced Ebbsfleet to ineffectual long shots which caused James Belshaw little concern.
With around twenty minutes left,Town made sure of all three points, when Thomson sent Aaron Williams through the middle and he slotted past Ashmore for Harrogate’s second.
Manager,Simon Weaver,praised his side’s solidarity and team spirit in the face of difficult conditions.
Next Saturday,Town return to Wetherby Road to face lowly Dover,but before then on Monday,there is the little matter of finding out who we play in the F A Cup.
Town,
Belshaw,Falkingham,Howe,Burrell,Thomson,Emmett(Agnew 88),Leesley,Langmead,Williams,Muldoon(Beck 67),Kitching.
Unused subs,Thewlis,Cracknell,Kerry. Booked Muldoon.
Scorers,Howe 30,Williams 72.
Ebbsfleet,
Ashmore,Rance,Winfield,Clark,Adams(Powell 63),Kedwell,Weston,Whiteley,Bush,Graham(Magri 45),Allassani(Cheek 74).
Unused subs,Coulson,Shields Booked,Whiteley,Rance,Bush. Att.1169
Referee R Hulme
By John Harrison
@JohnHar59276371
