Harrogate Town 0 Forest Green Rovers 1: 'Lacking cutting edge' - Fans' panel verdict

Harrogate Town supporters have their say on Saturday's 1-0 League Two defeat to Forest Green Rovers.
Harrogate Town fans were allowed back inside Wetherby Road for the first time in almost nine months on Saturday. Pictures: Matt KirkhamHarrogate Town fans were allowed back inside Wetherby Road for the first time in almost nine months on Saturday. Pictures: Matt Kirkham
Harrogate Town fans were allowed back inside Wetherby Road for the first time in almost nine months on Saturday. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

KATHERINE SWINN

Good day: It was a good day for football with fans being allowed back after so long. Also a good day for Harrogate Town who must be highly praised and hugely thanked for making it possible for fans to attend. Regular updates were provided by email and on social media, and any concerns or queries from fans were addressed quickly too. The club also produced a helpful video in advance providing a tour round the ground so fans knew what to expect and where to go.

Bad day: There weren’t many, but if I have to choose one then Simon Weaver. I felt that he settled for 1-0 and should have changed the formation to 4-4-2 earlier and also made substitutions earlier too. We were too cautious and brought Mark Beck on too late to effect the game.

Brendan Kiernan caught the eye out on the right wing.Brendan Kiernan caught the eye out on the right wing.
Brendan Kiernan caught the eye out on the right wing.
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Key moment: The goal. We switched off in not stopping the cross and then not marking the player in the middle who scored.

Referee: Marc Edwards' performance was not that memorable. There were a few decisions I didn’t agree with, but nothing major.

Verdict: It was great to be back at the ground but the result still mattered. We played better than the last couple of games and weren’t far away but just felt we lacked that cutting edge. We had to switch to 4-4-2 earlier when we were chasing a goal and we might just have nicked the equaliser.

BRODY PATTISON

Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Connor Kirby enjoyed one of his better games in Harrogate colours.Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Connor Kirby enjoyed one of his better games in Harrogate colours.
Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Connor Kirby enjoyed one of his better games in Harrogate colours.

Good day: I thought Connor Kirby played well in midfield, Brendan Kiernan was my man of the match, however. He was brilliant. Kept creating chances for him and his team-mates and he was unlucky not to get a goal.

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Bad day: I didn’t think any player had a bad day we were just unlucky not to come away with anything from the game. However I feel like we should of made subs earlier as bringing Beck on the 89th minute did not make an impact.

Key moment: Probably their goal. Ryan Fallowfield got beaten easily on the wing and poor marking in the middle left their attacker open, which won the game. We can play as well as we want but if we don’t score the chances we get given, we will always get punished especially in the league we are now in.

Referee: I thought the referee did okay, made a few poor decisions but overall had a decent game.

Verdict: I thought it was a positive performance. We played a lot better than we did Tuesday, but we just don’t look like we are able to score goals at the moment which is worrying. We were unlucky to lose and not get a point, but we need to start scoring our chances if we want to be successful this season. It was also great to have fans back in the ground. I’m currently isolating so I couldn’t be at the game but it was nice to hear supporters again and fair play to club for getting them back in the ground. I know a lot of effort goes on behind the scenes to sort things like this, so a massive massive thank you to everyone who helped get this event on.

JORDAN FORD

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Good day: I thought Brendan Kiernan had a good game. Very direct, and tried to make something happen.

Bad day: The manager. Felt we left the one change we made too late. Mark Beck won't make a difference in three minutes. Thought he'd have made changes earlier, which may have excited the fans a bit more. Surprise to see Lloyd Kerry not introduced.

Key moment: Has to be the goal. It was the only thing which separated the two teams.

Referee: Didn't really notice him, which is always good for a referee.

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Verdict: Important to have fans back in. Club has done wonders and everything worked really well on day. Thought we more than matched Forest Green, who are near the top of the league, so very positive. Thought we looked better than previous weeks and can build on the performance.

DAVE WORTON

Good day: The two Connors. Hall looked imposing and read the game well in central defence. Kirkby had possibly his best game since arriving for us in midfield.

Bad day: I can’t point to a bad display in a Town shirt, but we need to raise it slightly in an attacking sense.

Key moment: Their goal. It knocked the wind out of everyone’s sails for a short period and should have been cut out defensively.

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Referee: He annoyed me on occasions for blowing for ‘nothing’ tackles and missing the odd shove in the back of a Town player, but we’ve had far, far worse, so no complaints.

Verdict: A massive improvement on the previous two home games. It was a decent performance, battling and better on the ball, but lacking in penetration/confidence in the opposing penalty area. A point would have been fair on the balance of play, but they took one of their chances and looked more dangerous in our area.

Want to have your say? Email [email protected] to take part in our next fans' panel.