Simon Weaver delighted with manner of Harrogate’s response from MK mauling

Posted Sunday, October 13, 2024 by PA

Harrogate boss Simon Weaver expressed his delight at the manner his team have recovered from a 5-1 mauling against MK Dons with back-to-back clean sheets in League Two.

Right-back Toby Sims’ first-half header secured a 1-0 home triumph over Newport, building on last weekend’s 0-0 draw at Swindon.

And Weaver was particularly pleased with how his centre-halves Anthony O’Connor and Jasper Moon dealt with the aerial threat of 6ft 9in striker Kyle Hudlin.

He said: “We were up against an absolutely enormous centre forward but we were organised and disciplined and dealt with Newport’s physical approach. I think a really good partnership is emerging between the two centre backs.

“They can play but are both physical as well. This was a tight game and, when we needed to show passion and dig in during the second half, we did do.

“With the driving rain in the first half and the strong wind in the second, the game could have easily turned into a harum-scarum game, but we never allowed it to get too frantic and hectic.

“We also worked hard to stop their entries into the box because, if you don’t do that with the threat they have in there, you feel a goal will be inevitable.

“Two clean sheets on the bounce is a welcome stat and we have had a brilliant response from the players over the past 10 days since the MK Dons game.”

Sims’ 40th-minute goal came following a mistake by former Manchester United Under-21 goalkeeper Jacob Carney, who was handed his EFL debut at Wetherby Road as Nick Townsend was on international duty with Antigua and Barbuda.

The 23-year-old failed to hold on to Ellis Taylor’s cross to the far post, allowing Sims to find an inviting net.

But County boss Nelson Jardim was quick to provide Carney with his and the players’ support at the final whistle.

He said: “We didn’t create many goalscoring opportunities but that was the same at both ends and it was just one little detail that decided the game. Jacob has my support and the whole squad’s support, though.

“Our dressing room is strong and we are all supportive. Everything we do is about improving.

“That’s all part of the process with having a young team and a young keeper having his first taste of a game at this level. With the way he trains every day, I expect the best from him and today will just be part of his learning curve, because it is our job to make sure he improves and is confident.”

The defeat was Newport’s 10th from their last 11 contests on the road, but Jardim added: “It was a disappointing result, but I feel that we are improving. We were in control for most of the game, so we’re disappointed not to have got at least a point because the boys played well.”