EFL Trophy - Harrogate Town’s groundbreaking journey shows no sign of faltering despite defeat to Hull City

By contrast, Hull City – five divisions above the Sulphurites – were enjoying a spot of calm in the international break following a 2-1 Premier League victory over Southampton.

How things have changed since for these Yorkshire clubs who now find themselves just one league apart and breaking bread in the Papa John’s Trophy.

These are groundbreaking days for Harrogate, with the shame being that their fans in the spa town are currently unable to witness them.

Seeking to make history in the FA Cup by reaching the third round for the first time – with the famous name of Blackpool visiting in the second round on the last weekend of November – qualification from Group H in this competition is also very much in their remit.

In this first ever meeting between these clubs, it was a player who started his career in the Hull academy in Harrogate player Joe Cracknell who proved a central figure to frustrate his against his hometown club – until being beaten twice late on.

Substitute James Scott nipped in to put Hull ahead 15 minutes from time and captain-for-the-night Callum Jones added a second from the spot after being fouled by namesake Dan Jones.

It was tough on Cracknell, who showed his mettle to make key saves to deny Tom Eaves and Martin Samuelsen, while also turning Brandon Fleming’s shot onto the post in the first half during a purposeful spell from the Tigers before the break.

A brave block at the feet of Scott continued his eye-catching night on the restart, with the best save of the lot seeing him turn away a thunderous half-volley from Callum Jones. But the visiting captain would have his moment.

Harrogate’s best two chances fell at the feet of Brendan Kiernan, who failed to crown his 28th birthday in fitting fashion by firing off target in each half.

After a quiet start, Hull’s growing conviction on the counter was shown ahead of the interval, with the break coming at an opportune time for Town.

Earlier, the hosts had threatened from set-plays and won their fair share of second balls in the opening half-hour. But it was Hull who carved out the meaningful opportunities.

Hull carried on from where they left on in the second half with Eaves off beam when well placed after slick play as the litany of missed chances started to stack up for the Tigers.

In a bid to change the narrative, Harrogate chief Simon Weaver brought on Thomson and switched Kiernan to a central position as Town sought to create a clear-cut opportunity which might expose Hull’s wasteful tendencies at the other end.

But Scott finally provided Hull with something tangible for their dominance following Samuelsen’s pinpoint cross and Callum Jones soon doubled their advantage.

Two goals from £35m forward Fabio Silva saw Doncaster Rovers exit the Papa John’s Trophy with a 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s.

The Portuguese produced two fine finishes, the latter coming with just two minutes remaining, to earn the visitors victory at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Silva hammered home from a tight angle to give Wolves a 15th-minute lead, but Fejiri Okenabirhie levelled from the spot eight minutes later after Ki-Jana Hoever fouled James Coppinger.

But teenager Silva had the final word.

Bradford City are also out of the competition following a 3-1 Group F home loss to Oldham Athletic, for whom Leeds United loanee Alfie McCalmont scored two late goals.

Debutant Will Sutton put through his own net to level after the Latics had led through Davis Kellior-Dunn.

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