Harrogate Town U17's got their first league win of the season on Sunday in a 5-2 victory against Pontefract St. Joes.
Town started well and had an early goal disallowed when a Louis Verity corner was met with a strong header by James Richardson, though the ref saw a push on the Pontefract defender and the score remained goalless.
The first goal only looked a matter of time and, when the ball broke to Richardson after a strong Carl Robinson tackle 25 yards out, Richardson was brought down in the box for a Harrogate Penalty allowing Sam Clark to step up confidently and find the top right corner.
Town continued to push forward and, after some good work through the middle from Robinson and Henry Dolby, Verity played Clark through with his finish beating the goalkeeper, but shaving the post as the ball went wide.
The second looked certain when a well worked corner was met by Brook Nugent, but his header was blocked on the goal line by Clark who was in an offside position.
Town were enjoying long spells of possession and after Gus Steele and Connor Weal worked the ball down the right, Clark squared the ball across to Richardson who found himself unmarked at the back post; the ‘keeper however pulled off a great one on one save.
Towns ‘keeper, Will Godbehere, was then called into action, making a good save low to his right after a rare Pontefract attack.
Towns second finally came in spectacular fashion after the ball was cleared by the Pontefract centre back and was met by Robinson on the volley 25 yards out. The ball flew into the top corner leaving the keeper no chance and put Town 2-0 up at half time.
After another well worked corner, Brook Nugent again met the ball, and this time found the net to make it 3-0.
Town continued to push forward, and when Weal was brought down out wide on the edge of the box, Verity's free kick was well saved, but Olly Heselgrave was on hand to tap in the rebound.
Pontefract's the scored twice in quick succession; the first after a counter attack resulted in the visiting winger pulling the ball back to the edge of the box where a Pontefract midfielder finished well into the far corner.
The second was gifted to the trailing side after a rare mistake from the Harrogate keeper gave Pontefract's striker an easy finish.
After ten minutes of Pontefract pressure, Richardson picked the ball up on the half way line, raced down the left and found himself one on one with the ‘keeper before finishing well to end the game as a contest.