JACK IN THE BOX IS TALK OF TOWN
JACK Muldoon was the toast of Harrogate after his poacher’s finish booked the club’s first ever Wembley appearance – and took them to within 90 minutes of the Football League.
After a Nathan Ashmoreinspired Boreham Wood had kept the lively hosts at bay, Will Smith headed George Thomson’s corner towards goal, with Muldoon applying the crucial touch ahead of the Wood stopper.
“We were relentless,” said jubilant Harrogate boss Simon Weaver. “There was a little bit of a lull after halftime but the character shone through for me.
“We are in this position because of the team spirit around the place and the prospect of Wembley now is a thrill for everyone.
“We’re still one game away from where we want to be and we have to do the job, but you have to enjoy moments like this.
“To come from where we were 11 years ago, it has been a great journey to be involved with and we can’t wait to see where it takes us.”
The Harrogate boss handed a long-awaited debut to striker
Aaron Martin, who had signed just days after Town’s scheduled fixture at Solihull was postponed due to Coronavirus.
The former Guiseley striker partnered Town’s top scorer Muldoon in attack, with Thomson and Jack Diamond completing a dangerous looking front four.
Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard made just one change from his side’s late victory over Halifax eight days prior, as Nathan Ashmore took Grant Smith’s place between the sticks.
The Wood’s extra game in the legs didn’t look to be having an impact early on as the hosts started brightly, Connor Hall’s header caught by Ashmore in the afternoon’s first goalmouth action.
Wood striker Matt Rhead went close with a header of his own with ten minutes on the clock, connecting with a cross at the far post and clipping the outside of the goal frame.
It was all Harrogate after that point, though, with Thomson and Diamond forcing Ashmore into further routine saves.
Town had the ball in the back of the net on 16 minutes when Thomson fired home sweetly, but referee Simon Mather had blown for an earlier foul by Diamond.
It was becoming a case of Town’s attackers against
Ashmore for the first half hour, but the Wood stopper continued to impress, palming away long-range efforts from Muldoon and Lloyd Kerry to keep his clean sheet intact.
The closest Harrogate came to making their first half dominance pay was through Martin, who turned Josh Falkingham’s low cross towards goal at the near post, only for Ashmore to spring to his left and prevent a debut goal.
Garrard’s side’s best spell came in first half injury time as a long Ashmore pass released Sorba Thomas in behind Ryan Fallowfield, but he couldn’t pick out teammate Kabongo Tshimanga who was poised to finish at the far post.
Tyrone Marsh almost gave his side the lead against the run of play in the last action of the first half as he got on the end of a rehearsed low corner, but struck just over James Belshaw’s goal.
Garrard’s side conjured up their first shot on target four minutes after the restart as
Tshimanga fed Marsh, but Belshaw was alert enough to save with his feet.
An important block at the far post from Hall prevented Wood edging ahead after Rhead headed back across goal, with Town inspired to take the lead not long after.
On 65 minutes, Muldoon popped up with his 16th goal of the season after being the quickest to react to Smith’s header, with Ashmore unable to prevent this one crossing the line.
With the visitors searching for an equaliser to force the tie to penalties, Jon Stead almost sealed the win, but curled just wide of the far post.
Substitute Justin Shaibu went as close as anyone to levelling for the visitors, but it was Harrogate who booked a first trip to Wembley Stadium in their 106-year history.
They are now just 90 minutes away from realising their Football League dream. STAR MAN: Jack Muldoon (Harrogate) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Simon Mather