Schools football: Harrogate schoolboys scorch seaside rivals

Tom Johnson got the home side off to the perfect start, tucking away Liam Whyte’s low cross after only four minutes.

A goal up and full of confidence, Harrogate dominated early possession and created the better chances.

Whyte extended the lead in the 16th minute after latching onto Jack Golby’s perfectly timed pass and placing it into the empty net. Scarborough had two chances to score but were thwarted by the athleticism of keeper James Denton.

A Lucas Abusin through ball helped Johnson claim his second of the day, and two well executed goals from Josh Wicks gave the hosts a comfortable five-goal lead into the break.

Early in the second half, Tom Simmons scored his second goal in two games after converting Johnson’s corner into the roof of the goal.

Scarborough played some attractive football and did their utmost to break down Harrogate’s defensive line. But three goals in 15 minutes sealed their plight. The first was a determined individual effort by Joe Johnson before Wicks notched up goal number five of the season thanks to a piercing through ball from Whyte.

With only a minute remaining, Jack Parkinson was rewarded for an indomitable performance, as he collected a poor goal kick and guided it past the keeper from the tightest of angles.