TOWN WIN CLASSIC TO STAY TOP
HARROGATE TOWN remain top of the table after a tense victory over fellow newly promoted outfit Havant & Waterlooville at the CNG Stadium.
The sides went into the break level after Callum Howe’s header had cancelled out Nicke Kabamba’s opener, but Town found themselves ahead seven minutes after the restart.
Dom Knowles and Jack Muldoon were able to claim their fifth goals of the season and, despite Kabamba’s second setting up a nervy finish, the hosts recorded their sixth win of the season.
The start of the second 45 was key, according to Town manager Simon Weaver. He said: “It wasn’t pretty at times today, but we had a 20-minute spell at the start of the second half when we really showed our true colours and scored a couple of goals after underachieving in the first half.
“We challenged the lads at halftime and they turned up in the second half.”
Weaver had named the same squad that won at Gateshead on Tuesday, while Lee Bradbury made three changes from Wednesday night’s televised win over Aldershot. The Hawks manager said: “The boys gave everything today, I thought we came here and gave the in-form team in the league a real good game, they won’t have had many harder games I don’t think.” Bradbury’s side took a surprise lead in the sixth minute after a sluggish start from Town when Kabamba fired low across goal into the bottom corner.
The visitors’ lead lasted just six minutes though as Joe Leesley’s corner was played back to him by Liam Agnew, allowing the winger to cross for Howe to head his third of the season.
Weaver’s side had the ball in the net at the end of the first half, but Knowles’ finish was ruled out for offside.
Seven minutes after the restart Town took the lead when George Thomson’s corner was bundled goalwards by a combination of Liam Kitching and Leesley, with Knowles applying the final touch on the line.
It was three five minutes later with Knowles turning provider this time as his pull-back was finished by Muldoon.
The Hawks replied after Lloyd Kerry was dispossessed inside his area with the ball falling to Kabamba, who lofted over James Belshaw and in.
The goal led to a nervy end but Town were able to hold on to all three points thanks to brave defending by Howe and Warren Burrell late on.