Jack Muldoon happy to reach double-figures for the season, but aiming for best-ever Harrogate Town goal-haul

Jack Muldoon netted his 10th goal of 2020/21 during Harrogate Town's 2-1 defeat at Cambridge United on Saturday.
Jack Muldoon in action during Harrogate Town's League Two defeat at Cambridge United. Pictures: Matt KirkhamJack Muldoon in action during Harrogate Town's League Two defeat at Cambridge United. Pictures: Matt Kirkham
Jack Muldoon in action during Harrogate Town's League Two defeat at Cambridge United. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

All of his strikes this term have come in League Two, and with the Sulphurites still less than halfway through their maiden EFL voyage, the versatile 31-year-old attacker feels as if he is on track to reach his personal target of 20 for the season.

Muldoon has finished as Town's top-scorer in each of his two previous campaigns at Wetherby Road, notching in 17 all competitions during 2018/19 and then bagging 16 times to help fire the club to promotion from the National League last season.

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But, having needed just 19 League Two appearances to reach double-figures, he is eyeing his best-ever return in front of goal.

Jack Muldoon beats Cambridge goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov to break the deadlock at the Abbey Stadium.Jack Muldoon beats Cambridge goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov to break the deadlock at the Abbey Stadium.
Jack Muldoon beats Cambridge goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov to break the deadlock at the Abbey Stadium.

Speaking to the Harrogate Advertiser following Town's defeat at Cambridge he said: "I'm happy to get my 10th goal of the season in the league, that's where I want to be because I'd like to get to 20 by the end of the season.

"We're not quite halfway through just yet, so I'm on track to hit that target so far."

Reflecting on the composed finish which gave Harrogate a 10th-minute lead against promotion-chasing United, he added: "Connor Kirby's clipped it forward and Marchy [Josh March] has got up in front of his man and flicked it on with his head. I've took a touch into the box, the keeper has come out and I've tapped it around him with my left foot at the near post.

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"Obviously, you have got to have a look at what the keeper is doing. We've been doing it in training for the last couple of weeks. The gaffer has been saying 'lift your head up as you get in front of the keeper to see where he is', and subconsciously I've done just that."

Forest Green Rovers loanee Josh March made his Harrogate Town debut against Cambridge.Forest Green Rovers loanee Josh March made his Harrogate Town debut against Cambridge.
Forest Green Rovers loanee Josh March made his Harrogate Town debut against Cambridge.

Saturday's game saw Muldoon paired with Forest Green Rovers loanee March up top for the first time and the pair seemed to have developed a decent rapport.

Debutant March's flick-on set up his strike partner to break the deadlock, and the two combined again to good effect soon afterwards, as the new boy accepted a pass from Muldoon and fired a left-footed drive narrowly over the cross-bar.

Assessing his team-mates first appearance in Harrogate colours, Muldoon said: "He does a bit of the dirty work, which I like, and he's a clever player.

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"He's also a nice lad and, for me personally, if you're going to come into a team, you need to bring personality.

Town midfielder Lloyd Kerry trudges off the pitch having been red-carded by referee Carl Brook.Town midfielder Lloyd Kerry trudges off the pitch having been red-carded by referee Carl Brook.
Town midfielder Lloyd Kerry trudges off the pitch having been red-carded by referee Carl Brook.

"Personailty gets you in with the lads, gets you settled in straight away, and he's got that, so it will be interesting to see what the future holds in terms of playing together."

Despite being thoroughly second best after half-time, Town remained in front at the Abbey Stadium until the 71st minute when Joe Ironside brought Cambridge level.

Substitute Lloyd Kerry was then sent off for raising his hand towards Harry Darling in an off-the-ball clash, and the home team went onto score the game's decisive goal less than three minutes after referee Carl Brook brandished his red card.

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Asked for his opinion on the incident which saw the experienced midfielder dismissed, Muldoon said: "It was very soft.

"Kerry had the ball, their kid has got him in a headlock and took him to the ground, which is an offence in itself, then Kerry has got up and pushed him. It's so soft, it's silly.

"Their player took a knee, then got back up literally as soon as the referee blew his whistle and that's not sportsmanship. He's using his head to be fair, and this is the game we play, so we've just got to deal with it.

"We'd have had another body in the middle of the park [with 11 men on the pitch] and the second goal came from a central position just outside the 18-yard-box, so who knows, but I think the red card definitely affected us."