Harrogate Town keeper Mark Oxley pleased with points rather than personal plaudits

Key saves: Harrogate Town goalkeeper Mark Oxley. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

The 30-year-old goalkeeper, who arrived from Southend United this summer and took over the number one shirt at Wetherby Road.

He showed his quality as he denied former Bradford Park Avenue forward Jake Beesley before half-time then Stephen Dooley late on to help the Sulphurites record a 3-2 opening-day win over Rochdale.

The second stop came with the game very much in the balance at 2-2 and was described by manager Simon Weaver as a “huge moment”.

Good start: Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver saw his side open with a win over Rochdale - but now their next three matches are off due to Covid issues. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

But, asked if he was pleased to have contributed two key saves on his first competitive appearance for the club, Oxley played down his role in Saturday’s victory, replying: “The main thing was the three points, we wanted to get off to a good start.

“In spells it wasn’t ideal, you want a clean-sheet don’t you, but at the end of the day, a win is a win and we’ve got use that to push on and hopefully set us up for a good season.

“The first save was almost a copy of the first goal, down to my right and luckily I managed to get down to it.

“Ryan [Fallowfield] was brilliant mopping up because otherwise their other lad was there to put it in, so fair play to him as well.

“I don’t really want to talk about the second one because I’m still a bit sore down there, but that’s my job at the end of the day, you’ve got to stand up and be counted, whichever part you save it with.

“I’m just delighted with the three points for the lads, everyone involved at the club and the fans – it was brilliant having them back.”

Oxley played in front of a limited number of supporters during a couple of Town’s pre-season friendlies, but Saturday was his first experience running out at the EnviroVent Stadium with a sizeable crowd in attendance.

“It’s not the biggest ground but the fans make up for it with the atmosphere they create,” he added.

“It’s a tight stadium, one of your more old-school stadiums and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“It was good having the supporters back in and we’re pleased to send them off home with three points.

“Hopefully we can go on from here and have a good season.”