Boss hails Harrogate Town support and calls for CNG Stadium ‘fortress’

Harrogate Town boss Simon Weaver wants more of the same from the club’s rowdy support base after the CNG Stadium’s new Kop roared his side to victory on Tuesday night.
Brendan Daniels celebrates scoring for Harrogate Town on Saturday.  Picture : Adrian Murray. (1508115AM)Brendan Daniels celebrates scoring for Harrogate Town on Saturday.  Picture : Adrian Murray. (1508115AM)
Brendan Daniels celebrates scoring for Harrogate Town on Saturday. Picture : Adrian Murray. (1508115AM)

The vocal Town support raised the roofs at Wetherby Road as substitute Brendan Daniels made an instant impact with two goals to secure a 3-1 victory over Gainsborough Trinity.

Ahead of this Saturday’s second home clash of the season against Hednesford Town, Weaver urged the supporters to create a fortress for his players to thrive in.

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He said: “When we went to the likes of Barrow last year, they really penned us back and the supporters were really baying for blood.

“That’s what we want our supporters to do: suck that goal into the back of the net.

“That’s why in the second half, it was so pleasing to see the lads do it in front of the Kop and the response from the supporters was immense.

“That comes down to banging a few goals in and getting a good win at home to a good team.

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Tuesday’s win rectified a disappointing opening day for Town in National North on Saturday, which saw Weaver’s side create little in a 1-0 defeat at Brackley Town.

Paul Clayton battles for the ballPaul Clayton battles for the ball
Paul Clayton battles for the ball

And the boss admitted getting off the mark early would help the supporters warm to Town’s new signings.

He said: “It settles the nerves down early on in the season, which are inevitable especially for new players coming in that want to be accepted by everyone at the club and especially the supporters.”

Daniels is likely to have forced his way into a starting role for the Hednesford game after an enterprising cameo.

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The former Crewe Alexandra winger replaced Louie Swain on 56 minutes and produced a lively performance on the left flank.

Dominic Knowles (1508115AM9)Dominic Knowles (1508115AM9)
Dominic Knowles (1508115AM9)

He started the move for Knowles’ opening goal before too classy finishes sealed the first points of the season for Town.

He had been left on the bench for the match after Weaver retained the same line-up that fell to a defeat at Brackley – with David Moyo scoring the only goal of the game in the 84th minute.

After the game on Tuesday, Weaver added: “Louie had done nothing wrong, just tonight was the time for Brendan Daniels to do something magic.

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“We have also seen Joe Colbeck can beat a man, and in Jack Emmett, Jordan Thewlis, Dom Knowles, we have players who can turn a game. That’s what you need to win games.

“Not just set up to be solid, we need to hurt ability wise.”