Harrogate boss Simon Weaver expressed his delight at the manner his team have recovered from a 5-1 mauling against MK Dons with back-to-back clean sheets in League Two.
Right-back Toby Sims’ first-half header secured a 1-0 home triumph over Newport, building on last weekend’s 0-0 draw at Swindon.
And Weaver was particularly pleased with how his centre-halves Anthony O’Connor and Jasper Moon dealt with the aerial threat of 6ft 9in striker Kyle Hudlin.
He said: “We were up against an absolutely enormous centre forward but we were organised and disciplined and dealt with Newport’s physical approach. I think a really good partnership is emerging between the two centre backs.
“They can play but are both physical as well. This was a tight game and, when we needed to show passion and dig in during the second half, we did do.
“With the driving rain in the first half and the strong wind in the second, the game could have easily turned into a harum-scarum game, but we never allowed it to get too frantic and hectic.
“We also worked hard to stop their entries into the box because, if you don’t do that with the threat they have in there, you feel a goal will be inevitable.
“Two clean sheets on the bounce is a welcome stat and we have had a brilliant response from the players over the past 10 days since the MK Dons game.”
Sims’ 40th-minute goal came following a mistake by former Manchester United Under-21 goalkeeper Jacob Carney, who was handed his EFL debut at Wetherby Road as Nick Townsend was on international duty with Antigua and Barbuda.
The 23-year-old failed to hold on to Ellis Taylor’s cross to the far post, allowing Sims to find an inviting net.
But County boss Nelson Jardim was quick to provide Carney with his and the players’ support at the final whistle.
He said: “We didn’t create many goalscoring opportunities but that was the same at both ends and it was just one little detail that decided the game. Jacob has my support and the whole squad’s support, though.
“Our dressing room is strong and we are all supportive. Everything we do is about improving.
“That’s all part of the process with having a young team and a young keeper having his first taste of a game at this level. With the way he trains every day, I expect the best from him and today will just be part of his learning curve, because it is our job to make sure he improves and is confident.”
The defeat was Newport’s 10th from their last 11 contests on the road, but Jardim added: “It was a disappointing result, but I feel that we are improving. We were in control for most of the game, so we’re disappointed not to have got at least a point because the boys played well.”
Everton keen to rival Fenerbahce for WalkerPer journalist Mike McGrath, Everton have shown interest in signing Kyle Walker after the Manchester City star failed to secure an AC Milan move.Last week, reports emerged in the Turkish media that Fenerbahce are keen on signing the veteran full-back as Jose Mourinho is aiming to bolster his squad ahead of the new season. Fenerbahce have even formally sub...
Arsenal, Man Utd ask Real Madrid to name Brahim priceArsenal and Manchester United have sounded out Real Madrid over a price for Brahim Diaz.The former Manchester City midfielder has attracted enquiries from both Premier League giants, says Okdiario.For his part, Brahim is settled in Madrid, though there is concern inside his camp over the imminent arrival of Franco Mastantuono from River Plate.Th...
DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB LeipzigCelta Vigo have signed permanently Iliax Moriba from RB Leipzig.The midfielder had spent last season on-loan with Celta, which have now decided to sign him permanently from RBL for a fee of €6m.Celta announced today: "RC Celta has exercised the purchase option agreed upon last summer with RB Leipzig and has completed its second sign...
Japhet Tanganga's Millwall contract includes a modest £1.2m release clause (Image: Getty)Crystal Palace are interested in signing Japhet Tanganga from south London rivals Millwall. But the Eagles' pursuit of the defender will depend on the sale of Marc Guehi, who is once again attracting interest from some of the Premier League's top sides.Tanganga has spent the past 18 months at The Den, ini...
Andre Onana is set to remain Man Utd's starting goalkeeper (Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)Andre Onana is poised to remain as Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper next season. Despite the Reds' boss Ruben Amorim desiring a new No. 1, seeking a replacement for Onana isn't high on the agenda as United focus on revamping a squad that ended up in 15th place last season.United had an...
Jack Grealish has been left out of Man City's Club World Cup squad (Image: Getty)Liverpool could play an important role in saving Jack Grealish from his Manchester City nightmare this summer. The former Aston Villa talisman has been left out of Pep Guardiola's Club World Cup squad and put up for sale, with City hoping to recoup some of the £100million they paid four years ago, or at least eas...
Thomas Frank has been urged to bring one of his fellow Danes to Tottenham (Image: Getty)Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been urged to sign Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand by Denmark legend Thomas Gravesen. But Sporting are prepared to stand firm during the summer transfer window, with suitors reportedly told that a successful bid would have to meet the value of his release clause.Spurs have al...
Mikel Arteta is chasing a big name striker this summer. (Image: Getty)Mikel Arteta may have to choose between three world-class strikers this summer as he bids to land the firepower to take Arsenal to the Premier League title next season. For the third campaign in a row, the Gunners were runners-up in 2024/25, finishing 10 points behind champions Liverpool.The Spanish boss has long been criticised...
Viktor Gyokeres has turned down the chance to negotiate with Manchester United. (Image: Getty)Manchester United have moved quickly to target another European striker after being rejected by Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish striker, who scored 54 goals in 52 club games last season, was outlined by Ruben Amorim as the man to add the clinical edge that was so badly lacking from his side ...
Chelsea vs LAFC was played in a half-empty stadium. (Image: Getty)FIFA chiefs have been left embarrassed as Chelsea's Club World Cup opener against LAFC was played in front of a half-empty stadium. The 71,000 capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was filled with empty red seats, indicating a flop in ticket sales.Despite a clear lack of demand, general admission tickets were still on sale for a...
- 1 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 2 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body
- 3 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 4 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 5 DONE DEAL: Marseille confirm CJ Egan-Riley signing from Burnley
- 6 'If you want to understand, it's really obvious' – USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino responds to Christian Pulisic, eager to move past off-field drama
- 7 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Liverpool are spending big
- 10 Portugal and France play out draw to start U21 Euro campaign