TOWN EYE WEMBLEY AFTER JACK SEALS WIN
A CONVINCING victory over Eastleigh leaves Harrogate Town as the highest ranked side left in this season’s FA Trophy.
The North Yorkshire outfit reached the last eight for the first time in their history courtesy of goals from Alex Bradley and Jack Emmett, leaving manager Simon Weaver excited at the prospect of a last eight appearance.
“When it gets to the quarter-final stage you are allowed to get excited about doing well in the competition and being so close to playing at Wembley, we’ll be looking forward to a really exciting draw on Monday.”
Weaver made six changes from last weekend’s trip to Aldershot and handed first Town starts for centre back Maxim Kouogun and 17-year-old forward Kian Harratt.
“Everyone proved their worth today, as a team we showed great legs and energy and got the second goal on the back of Brendan Kiernan’s energy up front,” Weaver added.
Eastleigh made one fewer change than their opponents as Sam Smart returned to the side with Scott Rendell and James Alabi leading the line.
Town created the first chance of the afternoon after good play down the right involving Kiernan and Ryan Fallowfield, but Jack Diamond could only head wide.
Diamond then turned creator, teeing up Harratt next who was desperately unlucky to see his finish hit the inside of the post and bounce clear, denying him a first senior goal.
Town’s early pressure paid off in the 23rd minute as Bradley played a one-two with Harratt before bending the ball first time into the top-right corner.
Eastleigh did manage their first shot after going behind, but failed to trouble Joe Cracknell as Town went into the break a goal to the good.
The hosts came out of the blocks in lively fashion for the second half as Harratt, fed by Diamond, saw his early effort fly over.
Weaver’s side were enjoying plenty of possession, but struggling to break down a disciplined defence, Fallowfield combining with Kiernan to force a save from Ryan Flitney just past the hour mark.
Town struck woodwork for a second time in the 78th minute when Kiernan darted in front of his man and turned substitute Emmett’s low cross on to the upright.
Eastleigh had a golden chance for an equaliser eight minutes from time as the ball dropped kindly to Jake Scrimshaw, but the substitute fired wastefully over the bar.
Ben Strevens’ side would rue the missed chance as Emmett killed the tie in the 86th minute, applying the finish after Kiernan’s low cross had been headed clear into his path to ensure his Town side progressed into the last eight.