Consistency key for Town at Rangers
HARROGATE Town boss Simon Weaver has challenged his new-look side to prove Tuesday's victory over Hinckley United wasn't a flash in the pan at Stafford Rangers tomorrow (3pm ko).
Town’s fruitless run of ten league matches without a win ended against The Knitters, after a sterling second half performance saw them eat down a 1-0 deficit at the break to win 3-1.
Weaver handed debuts to five recent signings with new front man Peter Knox grabbing a brace in a man-of-the-match winning display.
He also created another for fellow new boy Jason Bradley.
Midfielder Martin Foster, on loan Mansfield Town striker Lee Gregory and former Bradford City winger Ben Muirhead also donned the Town shirt for the first time.
It certainly capped a perfect start to 2010 for Weaver and his men after a frustrating wait to get back on the pitch due to the cold snap.
Now the Town boss is greedy for more points starting tomorrow at play-off chasing Stafford (3pm ko).
“We need to be consistent now,” said Weaver.
“It was really pleasing to win, I was delighted. But we’re not going to get carried away, it’s just one game, we need to go on a run of games now and pick up some more points.
“I’ve set up a imaginary table from January with us starting at zero points. We’ve played one game so far and we’ve already got three points. The goal will be to see if we can go top of that table at the end of the month.
“We’ve started the second half of the season well but we’ve got a tough game coming up on Saturday. We know Stafford are up there challenging.
“Hopefully we can build on the performance from Tuesday night.”
Town continue their busy schedule three days’ later with a trip to Farsley Celtic which was due to be played on Boxing Day but cancelled due to the snow (7.45pm ko).
“We’ll go there and have a real go,” continued Weaver.
“Ben Muirhead used to play there and they tried to get him to go back before he signed to us. That is sure to add a bit more juice to it.
“It’s a game everyone is looking forward to. I’m sure they’ll be a good crowd and hopefully we’ll come into the game in good form.”
On Tuesday Town started the stronger with Knox and Adam Nowakowski going close.
But it was Hinckley who asserted their authority after that with Aaron Ratchford making a smart save from an Andy Gooding shot.
Skipper Craig James had to make a goal line clearance from Matt West before Neil Cartwright found the back of the net after a Ratchford mistake.
In the second period however Town looked a completely different team with Bradley coming off the bench in place of Richard Dunning.
After a concerted spell of pressure Town equalised through Knox on 62 minutes. The scorer then turned provider when Bradley fired home on 82 minutes. Knox then sealed the win two minutes from time when he found the net after Jon Maloney’s searching ball.
Manager Weaver lauded his side for their second half comeback and hopes Knox and Bradley continue to cause havoc up front.
“The second half performance was really pleasing, when Jason teamed up with Peter they both caused a lot of problems,” he said.
“We’re looking a lot more bigger, physical team now, we’re not getting bullied off the ball, we’re a lot stronger and that’s something I’ve been looking for.
“You look in the tunnel and we’ve got Jason Bradley, Peter Knox, Simon Sturdy, Adam Nowakowski and a few others over six foot, all imposing players.
“They’re not going to be knocked off the ball. I just hope they (Knox and Bradley) continue to perform and score goals, that’s what we need to get ourselves out from the bottom.”
The only negative on Tuesday night however was the attendance at the CNG.
On a cold winter’s evening only 142 hardy souls entered the gates for the contest- Town’s lowest attendance of the season to date.
“I did notice that but what I’ve got to do is get the team playing well, pick up points and hopefully then the supporters will return,” said Weaver.
“We all know we need the supporters not just for the revenue but also to get behind the team. There might have only been 142 there but in the second half they really got behind the team and created a good atmosphere.
“We and the players could hear that and it worked.”
Town will have a full strength side available for tomorrow. Weaver revealed that Curtis Woodhouse will stay in contention for a starting place.
He was in the squad for Tuesday’s game but wasn’t named in the starting line-up or on the subs’ bench.
“It’s a bit stop and start for Curtis with his knee,” he added.
“But he’ll be in the squad again for Saturday.
“He’s an important member of the squad and a key influence in the dressing room.”
andrew.groves@ypn.co.uk
Blue Square North
PPts
Fleetwood Town 25 51
Southport 23 48
Hinckley Utd 22 40
Eastwood Town 23 40
Droylsden 20 36
Alfreton Town 22 35
Corby 21 35
Stalybridge 17 34
AFC Telford 23 32
Ilkeston Town 20 28
Stafford Rangers 25 27
Northwich 20 25
Blyth Spartans 20 24
Workington 19 24
Gloucester 22 24
Redditch 24 24
Farsley Celtic 21 22
Solihull Moors 23 20
Gainsborough 22 18
Hyde 20 18
Harrogate Town 21 16
Vauxhall Motors 21 13
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Weather for Harrogate
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North
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Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
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