Harrogate Town 2 Leyton Orient 2: Advertiser player ratings

Harrogate Town showed plenty of heart as they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Leyton Orient at Wetherby Road.
Harrogate Town celebrate after Josh McPake netted their second goal against Leyton Orient. Pictures: Matt KirkhamHarrogate Town celebrate after Josh McPake netted their second goal against Leyton Orient. Pictures: Matt Kirkham
Harrogate Town celebrate after Josh McPake netted their second goal against Leyton Orient. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

Here's an assessment of how Simon Weaver's men performed during Tuesday evening's League Two clash.

James Belshaw 7 - Will be disappointed that Connor Wilkinson's strike for Orient's opening goal went through him. But, he performed with confidence otherwise, communicated well and his handling was good overall. Pulled off an excellent late save to deny Danny Johnson from point-blank range.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Warren Burrell 7 - A decent night's work at right-back. Played at a good tempo and showed a determination to get forward and try and offer some width and create an additional attacking option.

Glasgow Rangers loanee Josh McPake was a constant thorn in Leyton Orient's side.Glasgow Rangers loanee Josh McPake was a constant thorn in Leyton Orient's side.
Glasgow Rangers loanee Josh McPake was a constant thorn in Leyton Orient's side.

Will Smith 7 - An improvement on some of his recent performances and did plenty right. Showed largely good decision-making in clearing the ball to safety on a couple of occasions rather than taking a chance in his defnsive third. Will have been relieved to see Belshaw pull off a fine stop after he appeared to lose Danny Johnson at the back post late on.

Connor Hall 8 - A number of important interventions in and around his own penalty area. Didn't let his error against Bolton last time out affect him, and looked calm and confident on the ball at the back. Hit some raking passes, while showing tenacity and awareness to get the ball to Josh McPake for Town's second goal.

Dan Jones 7 - Could easily have been Town's man of the match, but just as was the case at Bolton, an impressive display at left-back was spoiled by a mistake which cost his team a goal. Took an unnecessary risk with the header back to Belshaw that gifted Orient their second of the night, just five minutes after scoring at the other end.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

George Thomson 6 - Uncharacteristically loose in possession at times during the first half. His sliced clearance then led to the visitors going 2-1 up, though he did provide an inviting free-kick delivery for Town's first equaliser. Shooting from some useful positions on the edge of the box was again disappointing.

Josh Falkingham 8 - Terrier-like in his work out of possession. Seemed to start the contest at 100mph and then manage to continue operating at that speed for almost the whole evening. Made five tackles and two interceptions, going about his work with an edge that the O's struggled to cope with. Passed the ball tidily.

Lloyd Kerry 7 - Like Falkingham, his energy and desire in the engine room really stood out. In terms of pressing opponents, competing and winning the ball back he was excellent, however he was guilty of giving the ball away on occasion in the first half. Spurned a great chance to open the scoring on 21 minutes.

Josh McPake 8 - ADVERTISER STAR MAN. Probably his finest outing in a Harrogate shirt. A decent first 45 then proved a constant menace down the left flank during the second. Caused Orient a lot of problems with his willingness to run at defenders and kept his composure to slot home a 74th-minute equaliser that both he and Town deserved. Also won five tackles.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jon Stead 8 - Blazed a good chance over the bar in the 20th minute, but otherwise he was superb. Showed a lot of nous and some really good touches to hold the ball up and link the play. His game means that not all the balls into him need to be aimed at his head, which enabled the Sulphurites to attack with more fluency than we've seen for some weeks.

Jack Muldoon 7 - Covered a huge amount of ground. Movement was intelligent, he looked after the ball carefully and linked well with strike partner Stead. Neat skill to win the penalty, though his spot-kick was a poor one and he will have been relieved that McPake managed level matters a minute after he missed from 12 yards.

Related topics: