Harrogate Town 'grew into the game' after testing start to second pre-season outing

The National League Sulphurites followed up last weekend’s 2-1 success at Guiseley with a 1-0 win over Cleethorpes Town on Saturday afternoon.

Shawn McCoulsky headed home the only goal of the game from Grant Horton’s 60th-minute cross, and the men from Wetherby Road were good value for that result in the end.

But, they did not have things all their own way early on, and only really took control of proceedings against their seventh-tier hosts after the interval.

"I thought that we grew into the match, and after about half an hour we got hold of the game,” Weaver told BBC Radio York.

“It was a blustery day and we had to defend uphill in the first half against a big, strong team who did well against [League Two] Grimsby last week.

"They have got aerial threats and we had to withstand some throws and crosses into the box, which I thought we did well, but we also gave the ball away a little bit cheaply in that first half an hour.

"But, we grew in confidence and stature and showed a bit more class from that half-an-hour point, and for the rest of the game, with the changes we made at half-time, I thought that we looked really strong.

"There were some really promising moves that emerged after that half-hour mark, and we carried out our roles well and got the balance a lot better in the second half. The goal represented what we want to be with a centre-forward like Shawn, who revels when crosses are coming in.”

Town have put their players through a typically gruelling pre-season schedule, and Weaver believes that the hard work they have undertaken on the training ground goes some way to explaining that underwhelming start to Saturday’s contest.

"After a heavy week of running, it can take the legs a bit of time to get going again,” he added.

"Fitness is huge in pre-season, and I have to remember that it is hard when the players have heavy legs to go and produce a confident display.

"So, we congratulate them on their hard work, and bit by bit, they’ll start to feel fresher and be able to deliver the best form of themselves.”

The one major negative to come out of Saturday’s friendly clash was an injury sustained by defender Horton, which forced him from the field of play late on.

"I thought that Grant was really good on Saturday, but he felt a pop in his thigh, and I really hope for him that it is not torn,” Weaver continued.

"It is too early to tell the full extent of the injury, but hopefully he will be okay.

"He is such an optimistic type and very positive, and we want him really competing for a first-team start this season.”