TOP TOWN CLAIM DERBY TO AFFIRM CREDENTIALS
HARROGATE TOWN 2 YORK CITY 0
GOALS from Joe Leesley and Liam Agnew saw Harrogate Town claim bragging rights after a North Yorkshire Derby win in front a sold-out CNG Stadium.
Visiting goalkeeper Jon Worsnop brought down Jordan Thewlis after 15 minutes to present Leesley with the chance of putting his side ahead, and the winger duly obliged.
Simon Weaver’s side got their second six minutes after the restart as Agnew cut inside and watched his deflected effort evade the York stopper.
Gary Mills saw his side strike the woodwork through captain Sean Newton, though was in no doubt who the better side was.
Mills said: “Unfortunately it didn’t happen for us today, we were second best and that is disappointing to take.
“I am disappointed with both goals. Harrogate were lively and won a lot of second balls but didn’t really test Jon, other than the goals.”
Both managers made one change. Agnew replaced Southport-bound David Morgan for Harrogate while Kaine Felix replaced Jon Parkin for the Minstermen.
The capacity crowd was in full voice from the off and witnessed James Belshaw make the first save, keeping out Alex Whittle’s low drive for City after 14 minutes.
From the resulting passage of play, Thewlis chased down a clearance, bundled his way past Daniel Parslow and was brought down by Worsnop.
Leesley stepped up to give Town the lead, though York almost pulled level ten minutes later as Whittle curledg over the bar.
Agnew marked his return from injury with a first Harrogate Town goal six minutes after the restart, cutting inside and hitting a right-foot shot which deflected past Worsnop.
Leesley was next to go close for Weaver’s men, cutting back inside on his left foot and forcing Worsnop
into a save at his near post.
With the deficit only at two, York still had hope of a comeback and nearly pegged Town back with less than 20 minutes to go as Newton struck the post with a bobbling effort.
Louis Myers then tried his luck at beating Belshaw, but Town’s stopper kept out the effort and Warren Burrell hooked away the rebound.
Belshaw was forced into saving another shot from Newton with two minutes to go, though Town’s lead was never in question.
Weaver said he was pleased with Harrogate’s performance.
He said: “The important thing today was putting on a good performance in front of a good crowd.
“Anyone who has not come and watched us before now knows we have something good going on here!” STAR MAN: Josh Falkingham (Harrogate Town) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★