Harrogate Town secured their place in the next round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 victory over Bury in the Fourth Round Qualifying on Tuesday. The win continues a strong run of form for the club, who are second in the National League with 28 points from 13 games, having recorded nine wins, one draw and three losses this season. Their recent form of four wins and a draw in the last five league games, including a 1-1 draw with Bury on Saturday 17 October and wins over Woking, AFC Hornchurch, Hartlepool and Eastleigh, has been key to their position.
The home side controlled the match at the Exercise Stadium, enjoying 57% possession and creating 22 shots to Bury's six. They opened the scoring after 12 minutes and, despite a Bury equaliser on 68 minutes, sealed the tie with two late goals in the 88th and 90th minutes. The visitors managed five shots on target but could not find a second equaliser. This latest victory over Bury, following the league draw just three days prior, reinforces their strong momentum.
This result extends Harrogate Town's unbeaten sequence to five matches, a run that includes four wins and a draw. Their recent form, shows victories over Woking, AFC Hornchurch, Hartlepool and Eastleigh preceding this cup win. The club now sits seven points behind league leaders Boreham Wood. Their overall campaign has seen them score 29 goals while conceding 17, giving them a goal difference of plus twelve.
Attention immediately turns to the league, with a home game against Sutton United this Saturday. Sutton are currently 13th in the table. Harrogate Town will aim to maintain their momentum and close the gap at the top in that 12:30 kick-off at the Exercise Stadium. The fixture on Saturday 24 October represents a key opportunity to build on their second-place standing.
Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver confirmed two changes for Tuesday's FA Cup replay against Bury. Bailey Hobson and Brad Dolaghan started, with Josh Hmami and Lewis Cass moving to the bench, the club stated. Dolaghan opened the scoring in the 12th minute before Ellis Taylor's late double secured a 3-1 win. The victory extends the club's unbeaten run to five matches. Harrogate Town, second in the National League with 28 points, host Sutton United on Saturday.
Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver praised the atmosphere created by the travelling Bury support. "The away fans created a fantastic atmosphere," Weaver said. The club confirmed over 1,000 Bury fans attended Tuesday's FA Cup replay. The victory extends Harrogate Town's unbeaten run to five matches, a sequence of four wins and a draw. They remain second in the National League with 28 points from 13 games.
