Harrogate Town FA Cup

A good performance which emphasised the gulf between L1 and L2.

Some of the first half passing was tremendous.

We slightly spoiled the day with a dreadful last 15 minutes where we just stood off and gave up playing. Whether that was because Bodvarsson and Dempsey had gone off I don’t know but the final 15 minutes was poor.

I can’t let that sour the previous 75 mins when we were terrific.

Excellent passing, tremendous finishing together with some casual passing at the back which could have cost us more than 1 goal. Cannot complain though – that was a comprehensive win.

The first goal was tremendous. Loads of passes down the right until Bodvarsson received, turned and shot into the corner in one movement.

The 2nd was also quality and massive credit to Nlundulu. He won the ball on the left wing just inside their half. He ran and ran, into the box and then laid it off for a simple tap-in for Bodvarsson.

Bodvarsson completed his hat trick late in the half when Medes-Gomez’s shot was blocked and he was on hand to tap in.

We had passed well for most of the match but had also made some terrible passes out of defence. We were eventually caught by one of these when Jones inexplicably hit the ball to a Harrogate man who drove it past Baxter. Santos, Iredale and Williams had all earlier been guilty of casual play at the back.

Second half, we finished the game off within 10 minutes.

We had had a couple of scrambles in their box and then Nlundulu managed to somehow loop the ball into the far corner. This was followed by him dinking the ball across goal and into the other corner. 2 goals in less than 5 minutes.

Bodvarsson brought a good save out of the keeper and Nlundulu had a great chance to complete his hat trick when clean through but the goalie blocked well.

Bodvarsson was then subbed and the threat from our attack faded.

Adeboyejo shot over from a good chance.

The game then just drifted away. Numerous substitutions were made and we sat off and just played the game out. The last 15 minutes were poor and Harrogate actually had 4 shots but overall we had dominated.





Marks:-



Baxter - 7 No real problems.

Jones - 7 Terrible pass to give Harrogate a goal but, other than that, OK

Forrester - 7 Good. The occasional iffy pass but mostly good

Santos - 8 Strong as usual. One awful bad pass early on but, other than that, another strong performance

Iredale - 7 Slotted into the back 3 fine

Williams - 7 Very positive

Morley - 7 Good

Mendes-Gomez - 7 OK. Obviously needs to get some minutes under his belt

Dempsey - 8 Very busy and dominant

Bodvarsson - 9 Excellent. A class performance. He definitely needs to start league games

Nlundulu - 8 Still has his usual awkwardness controlling the ball but his run which set up the 2nd goal was excellent. 2 scuffed goals but they all count

Adeboyejo - 6 Shot over from his only chance

Ashworth - 6 Not as positive as Williams but OK

Charles

Sheehan

Maghoma

I take back what I said about "scuffed" goals by Nlundulu.

I have just re-watched the highlights and apologies to him because he took both well and hit them well and accurately

Very disappointing draw.

No money to be made but after all our recent home ties, I suppose we were due a poor draw.

I agree, very disappointed with Luton away, but if we want round 4, we have to get past a Prem side and I think we will

Scum Pathetic get a home v Urinals… typical 🙄

Yes, certainly not the draw we were all hoping for but given their poor season, one we should at least have a chance of winning if we play well. I don’t know whether Luton will rest a few with the league being more important or see it as a diversion from which they can benefit but either way we can’t do anything about it so let’s hope we can make round four and a better draw in that and if not then it’s all guns blazing for the automatics. Still much to look forward to and at least we made the draw this year so not all bad. 😉