HARROGATE
TOWN V HASTINGS UNITED
The smallest tie is also the biggest one. The
round two match-up between Conference North Harrogate Town and Isthmian Premier
League Hastings United involves two of the lesser teams to get this far, but
the reward for the winner is all the greater: a place in the fabled third
round, with the tantalising prospect of drawing a premiership club, providing a
good day out for the fans and cash for the chairman. The occasion has also
brought in the ITV cameras to feature the game in the highlights programme.
The CNG Stadium on Wetherby Road will be
close to full by kick off with over 2,000 advance tickets sold. After a week of
floods and frost it is mercifully fine; sunny of course but cold under the
cloudless blue sky. A 1pm kick off should keep the temperature above freezing
for the duration. The hot pork sandwich van and the designer coffee bar, very
Harrogate, will provide supplementary warmth if needed.
The pitch is a mixture of green, brown and
sand; undulating, damp and likely to cut up a bit. Already a muddy patch has
appeared already where Harrogate have been doing their warm up shuttle runs. Of
course we saw Harrogate in the second qualifying round where they gave up a two
goal lead at West Auckland, but they have come through the replay and three
rounds since then. Today, at home, they can wear their black and yellow striped
shirts and black shorts. Hastings are in claret shirts with a blue yoke and
white shorts.
Black and yellow balloons go up as the teams
come out and exchange handshakes. For the toss up a welcoming committee of five,
intent on a TV cameo and a photo opportunity, splodge across the pitch and the
bemused referee indulges them with a handshake and a photo before they depart
and he starts the game.
Harrogate are quick out of the blocks and in
the first ten minutes give the Hastings defence a few uncomfortable moments as
the ball flashes across their goal. Uncomfortable then becomes painful as Hastings
keeper Armstrong-Ford rushes out to field a dangerous through ball, which he
collects just ahead of Beesley’s outstretched, studs-up boot. Unsurprisingly he
drops the ball and rolls into a crumpled heap; unsurprisingly Beesley is
booked. After treatment Armstrong-Ford hobbles back to goal but looks in
trouble.
Only a minute later Harrogate full back Merris
makes a clean tackle in midfield and plays a great through ball for Beesley to run
on to. This time he is favourite to reach it, but the keeper bravely goes down
at his feet and saves well, getting another kicking for his trouble.
It is mainly Harrogate on the attack with
both full backs pressing forward. Centre forward Chilaka is running the
channels, twisting and turning and generally looking dangerous. Hastings do get
up-field from time to time and come close when Attwood sets up Okojie for a 20
yard shot that whistles past the right hand post.
Down the other end Armstrong-Ford is back in
action, off his line to collect a through ball; this time it is Chilaka who
falls over him. By now the keeper has a distinct limp and requires his centre
half to take the goal kicks.
But Harrogate are waning slightly and
Hastings’ Goldberg, a tricky number 11 with pony tail and attitude, is becoming
increasingly effective, getting a few crosses over from the left. The Harrogate
defence is dealing with most but on one occasion only a desperate lunging block
by centre half White prevents a close range shot on goal.
Five minutes from half time Harrogate get
back on the attack and win a corner on the left. It goes deep, drawing most
players, including the keeper, that way; when the ball is hooked back by White,
Platt is on hand, unchallenged, to nod it down and over the line for the
opening goal.
Harrogate have worked hard and attacked well
most of the half, so deserve this lead, but Hastings have had a good spell or
two and this game is far from won.
The players emerging for the second half include
Armstrong-Ford, complete with enormous knee bandage, but for the early exchanges
he is largely a spectator. Hastings are re-invigorated, or maybe are finally
coming to terms with the heavy pitch, and pin Harrogate back in their own half
for long spells. Chilaka does gets an opportunity on the break down the inside
right channel but is shepherded wide and his shot, though powerful, is off
target.
Hastings’ brightest forward Goldberg has
drifted inside and when he collects a ball on the edge of the box with his back
to goal he seems well policed; but he turns well and curls a right footed shot
past the Harrogate keeper MacGillivray and onto the far post. On hand to react
is teammate Crellin who pounces to slot in the rebound for a deserved
equaliser. Harrogate react with vigour and Beesley stings the hands of Armstrong-Ford
from 20 yards, but at this end Chilaka cannot accept the rebound.
Minutes later Hastings again threaten
through a Goldberg twisting run and shot. It is blocked, but the ball finds
Ellis on the left, who rolls it across the six yard box to Atwood. However his
sidefoot is weak and straight at MacGillivray, who falls on it gratefully. Hastings
remain dominant, quicker to the loose ball, of which there are now many as the
game becomes scrappier in the developing mud.
By the time the last quarter hour approaches
a few substitutes are introduced, including Harrogate’s Clayton who gives the
attack a lift, looking lively down the left wing. He gets a good cross over but
Chilaka’s header thumps against the top of the post before being scrambled
clear. Three added minutes are announced, and it is Harrogate who finish
stronger, less content than Hastings over the prospect of a replay. Two or
three free kicks into the box raise hopes in the home crowd, but to no avail
and the referee calls time with no further addition to the score.
The 1-1 result is fair enough, and both
teams will retain an interest in the third round draw, as will the 2,926
spectators who have had a good day out in sunny, if muddy, Harrogate.
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