Simon Weaver was left to reflect on a “brilliant night” for his Harrogate side after they clung on for a crucial 3-2 victory over fellow Sky Bet League Two strugglers Tranmere.
However, things could have ended differently had Josh Hawkes converted a stoppage-time penalty for the visitors, who refused to give up despite twice finding themselves two goals down.
Predatory close-range finishes from Ellis Taylor and Tom Cursons put the Sulphurites 2-0 up at Wetherby Road by the 58th minute, before Regan Hendry got Tranmere back in the game just three minutes later.
Ben Fox’s stunning 25-yard half-volley restored the home side’s two-goal cushion on 75 minutes, however Rovers again responded almost immediately through Omari Patrick.
And the visitors would have snatched a share of the spoils had Hawkes not missed that late spot-kick.
Weaver, however, was just thrilled to see his team get their rewards for a much-improved attacking display, one which ensured they moved nine points clear of the relegation zone.
“To sum it up, from our perspective it was a brilliant night,” he said.
“I thought that we were exciting to watch. We got the ball forward pretty quickly and got balls into the box and attacked between the posts. We got our goals by doing that.
“We could do that because we had a good, solid platform behind that again, with the two central midfielders instrumental in winning first and second balls and doing all the ugly stuff superbly well to allow us to dominate spells in the game.
“That has been one improvement in the team, but where we have really needed to improve was scoring more goals and we have scored three well-executed goals tonight, including a worldie from Ben Fox.
“So, we are all going to go home happy as a result of that.”
Striker Cursons, signed during the January transfer window following a goal-laden spell with seventh-tier Ilkeston, marked his first home start for Harrogate with his maiden goal as a professional player.
Weaver said: “I am absolutely delighted for TC. He has had to be patient but last week in training I felt that there was a bit of a breakthrough.
“He looked absolutely deadly, he was more aggressive and you could see that tonight.
“He was physically strong, he ran the channels, he upset Tranmere’s back-line and popped up in really good areas, so he has a lot of the ingredients to do well.
“It was great for him to get that goal in front of the Kop. It was a brilliant finish.”
Victory lifts Harrogate one place to 20th in the League Two standings, while Tranmere remain 22nd, where they not sit just four points clear of the drop zone.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
