08-01-14: Harrogate Town (a) 1-3 (HT 0-0) Crowd (?)

The Leeds substitutes were: Eric Grimes, Louis Hutton, both unused, while Lewis Walters 68', Chris Dawson 68', Tyler Denton 79' all came on as replacements. Harrogate made more use of their substitutes. Peter Crook replaced Craig MacGillivray in goal, Matt Bloomer replaced Dwayne Samuels at right-back, Alex Metcalfe came on for Anton Brown, Eddie Birch replaced Steve Mallory, Adam Bolder replaced Adam Nowakowski and Jahmal Smith came on for Craig Nelthorpe in midfield. While in the forwards, Nathan Cartman replaced Chris Hall and Connor Sellars came on for Liam Hardy, and the two forward substitutes both scored. Sellars in the seventy-sixth minute and Cartman six minutes later.

Match Report: Harrogate Advertiser:

Harrogate Town shocked Championship play-off hopefuls Leeds United 3-1 in front of more than 1,000 spectators at the CNG Stadium on Wednesday night. Three second-half strikes gave Town victory against a strong United XI in the quickly arranged mid-season friendly. Craig Nelthorpe’s curling effort broke the deadlock before Connor Sellars’ free-kick and triallist Nathan Cartman’s cool finish sealed a famous win. Dom Poleon grabbed a late consolation goal for the under-par Whites when his shot trickled into the corner. The defeat will have done little to improve United boss Brian McDermott’s mood after his side exited the FA Cup on Saturday at the hands of Rochdale. But Town boss Simon Weaver was overjoyed as his side added United to their list of high profile scalps this campaign, after beating Blackburn Rovers and Bradford City in pre-season. He said: “There was a buzz about it. Tonight was as good a night as we have had all season. “I was delighted for our players. To play to that level, and utilising the full 21 players, we put a really honest shift. Everyone looked sharp and we have to take that performance on to Saturday’s game against Stalybridge Celtic.” Heavy rain made for difficult conditions throughout the clash, and Nelthorpe instantly tested Leeds goalkeeper Alex Cairns with a driven daisy-cutter from 25 yards. Full-back Dwayne Samuels then gave Town fans a worry as he limped off and was replaced by Matt Bloomer. Steve Mallory had a header cleared off the line before another effort from the versatile midfielder made Cairns react well at his near post. Poleon provided United’s brightest spark and twice missed snap-shots after showing neat footwork in dangerous areas. Stephen Warnock also saw a free-kick sail wide as the visitors failed to seriously test Town shot-stopper Craig MacGillivray. Town target-man Chris Hall then failed to break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time as his control let him down when advancing on goal. Hall was replaced Cartman at half-time and the Harrogate Railway forward looked sharp up top. And the diminutive striker set up the opening goal, as he broke into the Leeds half and laid a pass into Nelthorpe’s path. The midfielder bent his shot beautifully round Cairns, who got a hand to it and almost kept it out but the ball trickled across the line. Sellars doubled the lead on 76 minutes when his free-kick dipped over the wall to bulge the net. Replacement Town ‘keeper Peter Crook then pulled off a fabulous double-save against Poleon and Harrogate-born teenager Lewis Walters. Town went up the other end to extend their lead further as Cartman found space to coolly drill past Cairns with little under 10 minutes to go. Poleon got his reward for a fine individual display as he fired a late consolation into the corner, moments after Town captain Shane Killock cleared a shot off the line. But the goal was too little too late for the Whites, as Town celebrated victory. And Weaver selected Killock, Adam Nowakowski and Cartman for specific praise. “We looked really strong in midfield and very dangerous from set-pieces,” he added. “Shane put in a real shift for 90 minutes. “Adam (Nowakowski) stood out in the first half with his guile on the ball and Nathan Cartman looked like he had a real football brain on him. Even though it wasn’t for points, it was important we put a performance in tonight. We have shown we can play football.” Attendance: 1354

Match Report: Harrogate News:

A large crowd defied incessant heavy rain to watch Town record an impressive victory over a Leeds side containing six senior professionals. Craig Nelthorpe almost gave Town the lead within twenty seconds of the start when his snap shot flashed narrowly wide. Leeds, with Dominic Poleon and new signing, Gboly Ariyibi, attacking down the wings, began to threaten, but Town had the better chances with Steve Mallory having a header cleared off the line, before shooting wide of the upright. After twenty minutes Leeds had a great chance to open the scoring when Poleon’s penetrative run was ended by a foul on the edge of the penalty area. Luckily for Town, Stephen Warnock’s free kick just missed the far post with Craig MacGillivray helpless to intervene. Mallory’s defence splitting through ball released Liam Hardy, but Scott Wootton’s timely tackle halted the Town forward,and Alex Cairns came out quickly to block Chris Hall’s follow up. Another dangerous Nelthorpe corner fell to Matt Heath who layed off to Hardy, but his drive was off target. Zac Thompson sliced well wide as Leeds pressed after the break and it then took a last ditch tackle by Shane Killock to halt Poleon. As in all friendlies there was an abundance of substitutions,and it was a Town sub, Nathan Cartman, who created the first goal when he broke clear and unselfishly squared to Nelthorpe whose shot had just enough power to trickle over the line. On 76 minutes, Leeds captain Richard Bryan, brought down Jahmal Smith 20 yards out and Conor Sellars brought the crowd to its feet with a brilliant free kick over the wall to make it 2-0. For Town, Peter Crook replaced MacGillivray in goal, and he soon earned his corn with a double save from Poleon and Lewis Walters. Town put the result beyond doubt with eight minutes left when Smith’s header over the top found Cartman and he beat Cairns from close range. Leeds continued to play attractive attacking football and Killock cleared off the line before robbing Walters when he looked sure to score. With three minutes left, Poleon crowned a fine game when he shot into the corner of the net to give Leeds a consolation goal. Town 1 MacGillivray, 2 Samuels, 3 Merris, 4 Brown, 5 Heath, 6 Killock (c), 7 Mallory, 8 Nowakowski, 9 Hall, 10 Hardy, 11 Nelthorpe. Used subs Bloomer, Sellars, Bolder, Metcalfe, Crook, Smith, Cartman, Birch. Scorers Nelthorpe 63, Sellars 76, Cartman 82. Leeds United 1 Cairns, 2 Coyle, 3 Warnock, 4 Bryan (c), 5 Wootton, 6 Drury, 7 Ayiribi, 8 Thompson, 9 Hunt, 10 Lenighan 11 Poleon. Subs 12 Grimes(gk), 14 Hutton, 15 Walters (68 mins), 16 Dawson (68), 17 Denton (79). Attendance 1354

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