Simon Weaver hails 'ruthless' reaction to disappointment as Harrogate Town put Solihull Moors to the sword
Simon Weaver praised his Harrogate Town players for their “ruthless” reaction to the disappointment of surrendering a two-goal lead during Saturday’s scintillating victory over Solihull Moors.
A new-look Sulphurites side featuring no fewer than seven debutants completely dominated their opening-day-of-the season clash for 65 minutes, and looked to be in full control thanks to strikes either side of half-time from Archie Baptiste and Bryn Morris.
Moors then netted twice in quick sucession to level matters, but rather than feel sorry for themselves, the hosts roared back to secure all three points thanks to late efforts by substitutes Ciaran McGuckin (2) and Rohan Vaughan.
And that stunning end to the game meant that Weaver was able to take huge positives from the “character” his team showed, as well as what was a fine footballing display.
"We controlled the game so much for the first hour, and I was really enjoying it when we were 2-0 up, really in the driving seat and dominating through some great passages of play,” he told the Harrogate Advertiser.
“Solihull then scored a scruffy goal from a set-piece, which I think we went a bit soft on. Then they did it again, which tested the players’ reactions, and I was delighted with how ruthless the response was.
"I am absolutely delighted with the response, and by the character shown by the players. They were clear in their minds about what the objective was, and that was to win the game.
"Yes, we went to sleep for 10 minutes, which is something that we can improve upon. But, at the same time, learning lessons to get better when you have won 5-2 on the opening day is a positive.
“The group have shown so much desire to win that game, I couldn’t really have asked for much more. I’d have loved a clean-sheet, but if we’d have kept one of them then I wouldn’t have known how we react after conceding a couple.”
Town’s 5-2 success, in their first competitive outing since they were relegated from League Two on the final day of last season, leaves them top of the National League after the opening round of 2026/27 fixtures.
And that victory was their sixth in seven attempts on the first weekend of a new campaign, meaning that they are unbeaten in nine of their previous 10 opening-day encounters.