Harrogate Town urged to 'dig in' as League Two freefall continues against Tranmere Rovers
HARROGATE TOWN boss Simon Weaver said it is time for his team to “dig in” as they look to turn a League Two campaign that is spiralling badly out of control.
Substitute Cameron Norman’s spectacular brace secured Tranmere Rovers a New Year’s Day victory at the struggling Sulphurites.
The defeat condemned Harrogate to a 14th game without a victory and a seventh consecutive home defeat – the last six without scoring.
Weaver is now hoping that Harrogate benefit from a quieter treatment room as they continue to battle for EFL survival and also signalled an intent to bolster his ranks.
“We’re two points from safety now, so it’s dig-in time and an acid test for us,” said Weaver.
“The transfer window is open and we want to shake up the squad and breathe some life into a good, honest group of players.
“We’re better than the league table suggests when we have more players available on the pitch, so I’d also like to think that, during the second half of the season, we won’t have the same level of bad luck injury-wise, because it’s certainly had a detrimental effect over the last few months.
Weaver was pleased, though, to have quartet Lewis Cass, Mason Bennett, Bryn Morris and George Thomson back on the pitch – the latter after 17 months out due to Achilles damage.
“We had four players back today and, while they still need to get match fit, they gave us more intensity and getting Thomo back was an emotional moment,” added Weaver.
“He’s had a massive impact on the club since I persuaded him to join us from FC United (of Manchester) all those years ago and I was proud to see him back out there inspiring his team-mates after an injury that has kept him out for so long.”
After a goalless first half, Belshaw demonstrated smart reflexes to deny Joe Ironside before Jack Muldoon squandered a glorious chance at the other end, firing wide from seven yards with the goal at his mercy.
Within two minutes, Norman punished Muldoon’s profligacy by picking up possession in the Harrogate half and striding forward before unleashing a 25-yard thunderbolt beyond Belshaw.
After Bryn Morris was penalised for a foul 20 yards from goal in the first minute of time added on, Belshaw could only then help Norman’s curling free-kick into his bottom-left corner.
Josh Davison also struck an upright for the visitors with almost the final kick.