Boro sunk by last-gasp goal in final warm-up match at Harrogate Town

Boro travelled to National League side Harrogate Town for their final pre-season match, and the higher-ranked hosts scored late, to snatch a 2-1 win after Luke Hall had given Boro an interval lead.

Boss Jono Greening had Rio Allan, Alex Wiles and Lewis Maloney all back, but Alex Purver was unavailable, and Alex Brown and Harry Green rested injuries, while an unused Harrogate sub was ex-Boro loanee Ciaran McGuckin.

Scarborough Athletic goalscorer Luke Hall, left, and teammate Rio Allan, close in on a Harrogate player. Photo by Zach Forster

placeholder image — Scarborough Athletic goalscorer Luke Hall, left, and teammate Rio Allan, close in on a Harrogate player. Photo by Zach Forster

Harrogate, managed by ex-Scarborough FC defender Simon Weaver, were on top for much of the game, but Boro defended superbly while also creating a few problems on the break, and both sides played some neat passing football.

Harrogate’s first chance saw Bryn Morris fire over from a low Bailey Hobson cross, then a Hobson shot was deflected wide by Jake Hull, who had an excellent game alongside skipper Will Thornton.

The Boro players congratulate Luke Hall, left, after putting Boro ahead at Harrogate Town. Photo by Morgan Exley

A Kieran Weledji sliding tackle halted a Hobson run, then Wiles blocked a stinging shot from Will McGowan.

Boro’s first attack came on 26 minutes when pacy duo Allan and Mo Fadera exchanged passes, and the latter squared to Jack Waldron, who burst down the right and sent over a low cross that keeper Rory Watson did well to gather.

Five minutes later Boro went ahead from their only shot on target, Fadera began the move that led to Waldron crossing from the right, and Hall slotted home at the back post.

Fadera then fired narrowly wide, before Ryan Whitley raced out to snatch the ball from the feet of McGowan, who also sent a 25-yard free-kick wide for Harrogate.

Jack Waldron charges forward for the Seadogs. Photo by Zach Forster

The score was level within two minutes of the restart, with a goal similar to Boro’s opener, when Lewis Payne’s low cross from the right was slammed in at the back post by Hobson.

A clever Allan flick sent Hall racing through for Boro, but he was stopped by a terrific Tom Bradbury tackle, then a long kick upfield from Whitley was touched on by Waldron to Dom Tear, who drilled his shot inches past the post.

Harrogate began to dominate possession, but Boro defended solidly, Luca Colville especially impressing with some skilful touches after dropping to left-back.

Thornton tackled both Mason Bennett and Payne when they charged forward, Shawn McCoulsky fired wide and George Thomson was halted by a strong Hull tackle.

Rio Allan gets to grips with a home player. Photo by Zach Forster

There was a hectic goalmouth scramble, Morris having a shot blocked by Hull, and Whitley’s superb saves denying both Rohan Vaughan and McCoulsky in quick succession.

Wiles, Weledji, Colville and Maloney all battled tirelessly but the hosts snatched a late winner, when a left-wing corner from Thomson was headed powerfully home by Heffernan.

HARROGATE - Watson (Oxley 46), Payne, Baptiste, Heffernan, Bradbury, (McCoulsky 60), Morris (c), Bennett (Cass 60), McGowan (Thomson 69), Hobson (Muldoon 84), Trialist A (Vaughan 73), Trialist B (Barnes 60); unused subs - Burrell, McGuckin.

BORO - Whitley, Weledji, Waldron, Hull, Thornton (c), Maloney, Fadera (Tear 46), Wiles, Allan, Hall, Colville; unused subs- Duckworth, Stuttard, Pllu.