Chorley FC 0 Harrogate Town 2: 'We had a point to prove' - James Belshaw

James Belshaw said that Harrogate Town "had a point to prove" when they visited Chorley FC on Saturday.
James Belshaw makes a save to deny Marcus Carver during Harrogate Town's win at Chorley FC. Picture: Matt KirkhamJames Belshaw makes a save to deny Marcus Carver during Harrogate Town's win at Chorley FC. Picture: Matt Kirkham
James Belshaw makes a save to deny Marcus Carver during Harrogate Town's win at Chorley FC. Picture: Matt Kirkham

The Wetherby Road outfit moved to within three points of the top of the National League courtesy of a 2-0 success, their first win away from home in five attempts.

And although goalkeeper Belshaw and his team-mates have been in decent form overall in recent weeks, their results on the road have left plenty to be desired.

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"We had a point to prove. We performed very well at home to Hartlepool on Boxing Day, but we've had this cloud hanging over us because of the away results," Town's number one said.

"Our away performances haven't been good enough recently and we've put that to bed now - and kept a clean-sheet, which is nice.

"Chorley is a tough place to come, especially this time of year, when the pitch isn't the best, it's windy, it's horrible.

"They're a big, physical side but we've dug in and to come away with a 2-0 win is fantastic.

"It's a scrappy win, but one that we'll enjoy."

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Goals in either half from Jack Muldoon and Jon Stead wrapped up Town's first victory away from the CNG Stadium since a 2-1 FA Cup triumph at FC Halifax Town in mid-October, while Belshaw was also able to enjoy a long overdue clean-sheet.

"It is fantastic to get the clean-sheet," he said, having gone 10 matches without one.

"I only had a couple of saves to make, but for me to keep a clean-sheet is good, you want to make a habit of it.

"That's nine [shut-outs] for the season now, which is a great number, and yeah, it's been a while since the last one but performances have been good and to get a clean-sheet today just capped things off."

Saturday's success keeps Town fourth in the National League standings, just a point behind third-placed Bromley and three shy of top-of-the-table Barrow.