Harrogate Town's heavy loss at Cheltenham Town shouldn't detract from overall achievement, says George Thomson

Disappointed as they were to round off 2020/21 with a comprehensive defeat, Harrogate Town's players won't let Saturday's 4-1 loss at Cheltenham Town put too much of a dampener on their season as a whole.
George Thomson in action during Harrogate Town's 4-1 defeat at Cheltenham. Pictures: Matt KirkhamGeorge Thomson in action during Harrogate Town's 4-1 defeat at Cheltenham. Pictures: Matt Kirkham
George Thomson in action during Harrogate Town's 4-1 defeat at Cheltenham. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

The Sulphurites were soundly-beaten by the Gloucestershire outfit despite taking an early lead through Jack Muldoon's header and missed out on the chance to end their debut campaign as an EFL club 15th in the League Two standings.

But, a 17th-placed finish which left them 12 points clear of the relegation zone still represents a successful effort according to midfielder George Thomson who says that Saturday's drubbing will be quickly put to the back of the mind.

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"It was a tough game, they are champions of the league, so it was always going to be difficult," the 28-year-old told the Harrogate Advertiser.

Jack Muldoon celebrates after netting his 15th goal of the season.Jack Muldoon celebrates after netting his 15th goal of the season.
Jack Muldoon celebrates after netting his 15th goal of the season.

"From our point of view it is disappointing to finish the season off with a 4-1 defeat, but I don't think that this can take away from what we have done on the whole this year.

"It's been a good season for us, our main objective was to stay up and we've done that, so we won't let the Cheltenham scoreline affect how we feel about the season.

"We've been learning game-by-game this year, it's a big step up into League Two and I think all of the lads have made that step up. I don't think anyone can say that we haven't.

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"It's been great and we've learned a lot. We're looking at Cheltenham and we think 'that's where we want to be'. We have got to aspire to get to the levels that Cheltenham have reached this season."

Saturday's victory saw Cheltenham wrap up the League Two title, and while it might be a stretch for Harrogate to replicate that success next term, Thomson insists that he and his team-mates are determined to keep moving in the right direction.

"We have to keep progressing, because we want to get better," he added.

"We want to achieve more, we want to achieve more as individuals and as a club. That's the mentality we have got in that changing room.

"We're not going to rest on our laurels and think 'we've got to where we are, that's it'. We want to push on again next year and see what we can do."