Town take a high-five

FIRST-HALF ROUT SEALS VICTORY

HARROGATE fired five first-half goals past shell-shocked Scunthorpe to go within a point of the top of League Two.

Jack Muldoon and Alex Pattison scored two goals apiece and Jack Diamond was also on the scoresheet with the hosts already out of sight at the break.

The Iron persisted in the second half and Harry Davis pulled one back only for Lewis Thompson to foul Simon Power in the box for a second yellow.

Danilo Orsi converted the penalty to send the bulk of the record home league crowd of 3,180 away from the Envirovent Stadium happy.

Harrogate are one point off leaders Forest Green and level on goal difference while Scunthorpe remain bottom, three points from safety. Manager Simon Weaver said: “We’ve had two good results – last Saturday and in midweek – and we just wanted to capitalise on the feelgood factor around the place at the minute. “There’s a real buzz.

“It was an outstanding first half – we’ve played at such a tempo and we were ruthless as well so we’re delighted.”

So too did he welcome the attention offered the lower leagues during the international break, saying: “It’s a good standard.

“We’ve got some very talented players and I think other teams have in League Two as well.

“It’s good that this spotlight is shone upon this level and I think there’s a refreshing honesty about it that can relate more to the people in the stands.”

The Sulphurites were relentless from the start with Muldoon opening the scoring when he headed home after Ryan Fallowfield’s effort hit the underside of the bar.

Muldoon turned provider with a through ball which Pattison ran on to and slid home before Diamond made it three with a swerving shot from distance low into the corner.

The Sunderland loanee then broke from his own half and his cross pass found the unmarked Pattison who stroked a composed ball past the keeper.

Muldoon looped a header into the net in the second minute of added time from Pattison’s cross.

Davis pulled one back before Thompson pulled down Power, was sent off and Orsi converted the spot-kick.

VITAL STATS DIAMOND GEEZER Harrogate’s Jack Diamond celebrates scoring the third goal and Jack Muldoon (inset, on the right) after scoring the first goal to the delight of boss Simon Weaver (below)