Into double figures
COUNTY boss Jim Gannon refused to get carried away as his irresistible Hatters extended their winning run to ten games in a row on Saturday - sweeping aside National League Harrogate 4-2 in the FA Trophy.
Gannon’s men have surged up to second place in the National League North via their long unbeaten run stretching back to November, and booked their place in the last eight of the Trophy with a thumping win over promotion-chasing Harrogate, sitting a division above County.
Gannon’s men were handed their biggest away defeat of last season at Wetherby Road in a 4-1 reverse just over a year ago, and – despite falling behind early on Saturday – goals from Adam Thomas, Matty Warburton and a Frank Mulhern brace were enough to breeze past Simon Weaver’s side.
“When everybody looks at the results, this will stand out. I’m really pleased with how we went about things, and what a response to going behind,” Gannon said.
“The lads just keep going, rising to every challenge they’re given - and to everything we ask of them.”
Many saw County’s trip to Yorkshire as a ‘free hit’, with The Hatters hot on the tails of league leaders Chorley, and both club officials and supporters favouring league success over a Trophy win – but Gannon opted for largely the same side to that which had won 2-1 at struggling FC United the weekend before.
Just one change was made, with defender Lewis Baines replacing the departed Jamie Stott, who returned to parent club Oldham at the conclusion of a successful loan spell at Edgeley Park.
And Gannon’s selection was rewarded, as his men took apart Harrogate’s strongest starting eleven in a test against higherlevel opposition which County passed with flying colours.
“Harrogate are the top scorers in the National League, but we’ve got a team of players just making the right decisions and knowing their own minds.
“It was a tough decision on whether to shake things up – it was tempting to do so. But we had an empty week building up to this game, and an empty week after it, so our mentality is just to keep the momentum going.
“If we had a Tuesday game, I would have made changes but it’s good to keep the consistency and momentum amongst a group of lads who want to just keep playing.”
Despite the big win, Gannon admitted he would be keeping his feet firmly on the ground in the midst of excitement over County’s progress against higher-level opposition.
The Hatters eased past League Two Yeovil in the FA Cup back in November, before pushing National League Barnet to their limits in a 1-0 defeat in the second round of the competition.
After more success against a side from the top level of non-league, many supporters pointed to County’s progression – but Gannon refused to get “carried away.
“I wanted to go with this same side to give the lads a chance to measure themselves against a top side from the division above, and we’ve made a real statement here.
“We’ve shown our capabilities and stepped up to a challenge, but we won’t get carried away as it is a one-off game.
“It is a lot different in a regular season to be playing these sides, going to places like Dover on the Tuesday night and then coming here in a league game. But it’s a positive indicator for the lads, and another confidence boost.
“But we keep going in the league with the aim of hunting down the top spot and to give ourselves these kind of games every week next season.”
The Hatters boss also played down the impact the January transfer window may have had on his side, with County keeping their squad intact at the conclusion of the winter window.
Gannon admitted he “never expected” anyone to leave the club mid-season, with talk rife that bids would be lodged for star men such as Scott Duxbury and Matty Warburton.
“I didn’t expect anyone to leave in January, so the window didn’t affect us. If you ask our players, I think most of them would say they’d want to be here for the foreseeable.
“We are keeping an eye on the market for the rest of the season (for incomings).
“We’ve got great depth in the squad, and a really professional group, but we’re not blind to the rigours of a long season competing in a number of competitions, so we’re keeping an eye out for something that will really help us in our aim of chasing down that top spot.”