Simon Weaver has opened up on the issues Harrogate Town have faced in front of goal so far this season.
The Sulphurites fell on the weekend against League Two leaders Swindon Town, with Ian Holloway’s side scoring three unanswered goals at the County Ground. Despite Jack Muldoon opening the scoring, Town only managed to conjure up seven shots, two of which tested Conor Ripley in the Robins’ net.
Ruthlessness Examined
The loss in Wiltshire has not been the first time Harrogate have struggled to finish the chances they have, with another loss against Crawley Town seeing 22 shots taken without any rewards. This lack of composure has seen a dip in Town’s fortunes, with the North Yorkshire side now on four losses on the bounce in the fourth tier ahead of their crunch match against fellow strugglers Shrewsbury Town next weekend.
Speaking following the loss against Swindon, Simon Weaver discussed their lack of quality in front of goal in open play, with their only goal in three weeks coming from the penalty spot against Mansfield Town in the EFL Trophy. He told BBC Radio York (Quotes via Harrogate Advertiser):
“Edge has to accompany quality if you are to go and win games.
“We have lads stepping up to the level, and we are giving it our all in training, but we have got to keep working them hard, because we do lack that killer edge and that further belief that we can go on and score a second and third goal.
“The other night at Mansfield, we played some great stuff, but only scored a penalty. Against Crawley the performance level was good up to their penalty box.
“We were a bit flat at Bromley and did lack quality on that day, but in the Chesterfield and Grimsby Town games we did create chances. There are however moments where we can show more quality to get more points on the board.”
Writers’ View
Squandered chances arguably cost Harrogate Town a real good chance at getting points away against Swindon Town, who have been the best side in League Two right now. It has been a lack of quality in front of goal which has cost the Sulphurites dearly in recent fixtures, and they need to solve this issue before it becomes a bigger concern. Their next game against Shrewsbury Town is a prime opportunity for Harrogate to redeem themselves in front of goal, with Michael Appleton’s side having a horrid time right now and having conceded 16 goals in eight matches.
