Harrogate Town vs Gresley Rovers
Although Harrogate Town were awarded two penalties that helped them into the next round, no-one could argue that they did not deserve to progress in the competition.
Alan Titterton, in charge while manager Jon Newsome is out of the country, had to make a change when Richard Wardle withdrew due to illness.
Gresley never really got going and were responsible for some wayward passing that gave their opponents far too much of the ball.
As early as five minutes the omens didn’t look good for Gresley. Top scorer Neil Kitching appeared to be elbowed in the head by Nicky Mohan and the striker seemed dazed for most of the first half. The injury, which needed stitches, was responsible for his substitution in the second period.
Within the first 15 minutes, Harrogate could have been two goals to the good. Clint Marcelle easily got round the Gresley defence and his shot skimmed the upright. Marcelle was involved again moments later when he raced onto a Robbie Whellans pass this time his shot flashed over the bar.
On 23 minutes Gresley had their first chance of note when Andy Bourne’s shot skimmed the bar.
On 25 minutes the homes side took the lead. The lively Marcelle received a pass from Scott Bonsall and as he rounded James Lindley in the Gresley goal was apparently brought down and the referee pointed at the spot.
Whellans took the kick which Lindley did well to save but before any of the Gresley players could react Whellans followed up the rebound and put the ball in the net.
Whellans could easily have doubled his tally but his header, from David Donaldson’s free kick, crashed against the cross bar.
Harrogate began the second half applying pressure on the Gresley defence and Lindley was called on to keep his side in the competition.
On 66 minutes, Titterton made the first change bringing on Paul Tomlinson for the groggy Kitching but the visitors still could not put Harrogate under any pressure and indeed it was not until 71st minute that they came anywhere near scoring.
Mark Peters’ free kick found Gary White and his pass enabled Gary Smith to have a shot on goal that was cleared off the line by Nick Richardson.
If that shot had gone in perhaps the game may have turned around but four minutes later Gresley’s fight ended.
Dave Morris made a run into the Gresley box and the unfortunate Jim Parkinson brought him down and the referee awarded Harrogate the second penalty of the night. Whellans made no mistake and sent Lindley the wrong way.
Gresley’s inept display was summed up with the third goal. On 84 minutes Smith made a very poor pass which was picked up by Colin Hunter.
Hunter then charged down the field easily avoiding some half-hearted challenges and finished of his run superbly by crashing the ball past Lindley.
Alan’s remarks on the game
“I want to apologise to the fans that made the long journey up here. We rarely looked like scoring, gave them far too much room and tried to play too many long balls.
“It was a very disappointing team performance and I’m not very happy, I expected a bit better.
“We gave away two penalties which I thought the referee was right to give and then Gary Smith made a terrible pass that led to the third goal.”
Harrogate Town (1) 3
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Scorers: Whellans 25, 74 (both pens), Hunter 84.
Harrogate Town: A Connor, Richardson (Aspin 87), Sykes, Sturdy, Mohan, Merris (Turley 84), Donaldson, Bonsall, Marcelle, Whellans, Hunter (Kerr 84). Sub not used: G Connor, Jackson.
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Barrett, G White, Peters, Parkinson, Cheetham, Bourne (Alexander 83), Timms, Kitching (Tomlinson 66), Smith, Crawford (Bluck 75). Subs not used: Hopkins, Roberts (gk).
Rovers Star Man: Jim Parkinson – another steady display.
Referee: A Denniff (Sheffield).
Attendance: 276
