Harrogate Town 2 Scunthorpe United 5 - Manager Simon Weaver will ‘forgive’ Harrogate Town troops after heavy home defeat

Simon Weaver backed his Harrogate Town players in the wake of last night’s rout at the hands of lowly Scunthorpe United.
Netted: Jack Muldoon blasted home Harrogate Town's opener.(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)Netted: Jack Muldoon blasted home Harrogate Town's opener.(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Netted: Jack Muldoon blasted home Harrogate Town's opener.(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The Iron kicked-off Tuesday’s contest second-from-bottom of the League Two standings, albeit having played a couple of games less than many of their rivals, but with just eight league goals to their name in 12 outings.

They would however go on to win at a canter, opening up their hosts at will while outplaying them in all areas of the pitch, and while Harrogate’s manager revealed that he felt “let down” by his team’s performance, he 
insisted that he still believes in them.

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“We were dealt a harsh lesson tonight. We deservedly lost by that scoreline. In all departments Scunthorpe were better than us,” Weaver said.

“If players are really honest tonight, probably only two or three shone and one of them was Jack Muldoon, because he scored. We didn’t have any real concerted pressure. We looked like we had run out of juice. 

“But, we’ve got to stay patient and back the players. We’ve come into this season on the back of a fairytale and you can’t expect that just to continue

“I’ve got to get the balance right with the lads, because whilst you feel let down you have to remember the shift that they have put in for weeks and weeks. There will be bumps in the road and we have to forgive and move on quickly.”

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Scunthorpe took the lead on 16 minutes when Manny Onariase’s effort was adjudged to have crossed the goal-line, despite the best efforts of James Belshaw.

Having found themselves thoroughly second best for half an hour, Town eventually weathered the storm and drew level 10 minutes before half-time.

George Thomson delivered a free-kick from left to right which Mark Beck nodded back across goal for Jack Muldoon to smash home in emphatic style.

Connor Kirby’s error gifted the Iron the chance to re-claim their lead soon afterwards, however, Abo Eisa slotting in before the visitors went on to take control of proceedings.

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Eisa’s 63rd-minute spot-kick ended the game as a contest, then late strikes from Ryan Loft and Aaron Jarvis took United out of sight before Connor Hall’s late consolation.

Harrogate: Belshaw; Kirby (Kiernan 46), Lawlor, Hall, Burrell; Thomson, Falkingham, Kerry (Martin 68), Miller; Muldoon, Beck. Unused substitutes: Cracknell, Stead.

Scunthorpe: Howard; Clarke (Rowe 78), Onariase, McGahey, O’Malley; Gilliead, Beestin, Spence, Eisa, McAtee (Taylor 75), Loft (Jarvis 75). Unused substitutes: Watson, Bedeau, Green, Hallam.

Referee: Paul Howard (London).

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