Harrogate Town AFC

Goals from Mark Beck, Will Smith and Josh McPake capped a resounding 3-0 victory for Town against Colchester United at The EnviroVent Stadium.

Set on their way through Beck's opening strike with less than a minute on the clock it was a performance full of energy and conviction that secured their biggest winning margin since the opening day of the season.

Simon Weaver made two changes to the side that was beaten 1-0 at Stevenage last Saturday with Josh March replacing Jack Muldoon and Josh Falkingham coming in for Simon Power, who missed out through injury.

For the visitors, who came into the game having won just once in their past 16 outings, interim boss Wayne Brown made one change with Omar Sowunmi replacing Frank Nouble.

And it was a dream start for Town as a defensive lapse in the Colchester ranks saw March feed Lloyd Kerry who played in Beck to comfortably stroke home.

Smith saw his shot blocked with Falkingham's rebound effort sailing well over before an impudent backheel from Josh McPake played in March who fought a contested 50/50 with visitors keeper Shamal George.

Despite attempting to continue the clash would bring the on-loan strikers evening to a close as he limped off and was replaced by leading scorer Muldoon.

Aramide Oteh fashioned some space on the edge of the Town box but rued the lack of control on his shot that flew well wide of James Belshaw's left-hand post.

Michael Follivi then blazed wide for the U's before Town hearts were in their mouths when Oteh went down under Kerry's challenge. However, the referee waved away the visitors indignant protest and the lead remained intact.

As first-half injury time looked to be petering out a long Town set piece was inadvertently sliced by the U's defence with Smith finding himself all alone beyond the back line. He held his nerve to calmy slot past George to double Town's lead.

With a two-goal deficit Colchester shook things up at the break with Harry Pell replacing Sowunmi.

Town started the brighter of the two sides though in the opening moments, twice almost extending their lead.
A delightful Muldoon pass resulted in George saving from Beck before McPake had a clear sight at goal but found himself crowded out before he could get his shot away.

The Scot was not to be denied though and extended Town's lead even further on 55 minutes when Muldoon and Thomson combined to present him with an opportunity that he coolly converted.

Further changes were made by the visitors with Noah Chilvers and Michael Folivi replaced by Paris Cowan-Hall and Jevani Brown.

With the comfortable lead Weaver also opted to freshen things up with Ed Francis and Brendan Kiernan introduced for Kerry and McPake.

The visitors had a rare foray into the Town box on 75 minutes with Belshaw pulling a smart double save to deny Oteh and Junior Tachamdeu for what would have been a first goal on their travels in seven games.

Ryan Fallowfield then put his body on the line to block a goalbound effort to maintain Town's run of clean sheets and make it four consecutive wins at home in the process.

Harrogate Town: Belshaw, Fallowfield, Jones, Burrell, Smith, Thomson, Falkingham, Kerry (Francis, 68), McPake (Kiernan, 68), Beck (Martin, 80), March (Muldoon, 23)

Subs not used: Minter, Lawlor.

Goals: Beck (1), Smith (45+1), McPake (55)

Booked: Falkingham (78), Martin (82)

Colchester United: George, Smith, Sowunmi (Pell, 45), Oteh (Poku, 74), Harriott, Chilvers (Cowan-Hall, 63) Eastman, Clampin, Sarpong- Wierdu, Tchamadeu, Folivi (Brown, 63).

Subs not used: Welch-Hayes, Doherty, Coulter.

Referee: Simon Mather