‘Bristol Rovers didn’t do much better than us” the view from Harrogate

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver says that Bristol Rovers weren’t much better than his side in their 1-0 defeat on Saturday.

Nick Anderton’s goal in the 64th minute was the only goal of the game as the Gas ended a four-game losing run.

Rovers moved up to 16th following the victory, whilst Harrogate dropped down the table to seventh and are now winless in four matches.

It was the first time that Harrogate had lost at home this season, whilst Barton’s men claimed just their second away victory.

The statistics were in favour of the Yorkshire side, who came out on top in their number of shots, shots on target, possession, as well as passes and how accurate they are.

“I wouldn’t say Bristol Rovers did that much better than us, but they got a scruffy goal and it went their way today,” said Weaver to the Harrogate Advertiser.

The manner of the goal was the most frustrating aspect of the match for Weaver. Glenn Whelan’s forward ball fell to Alfie Kilgour who headed the ball into the path of Anderton who scuffed the ball home.

“I’m frustrated and I’m annoyed with the goal we conceded because we had eight versus four in the box,” he said.

“We’ve got people retreating to the line and not going to the player, and as we always say, it’s not the space, it’s the man who scores.”

In response to Harrogate’s full-time tweet, a supporter James Hollingsworth responded with: "One of the worst Town games I have seen in a long time.

“Playing a poor Bristol Rovers team and offered nothing offensively. Created next to nothing and looked short of ideas.”

Miles Johnston, another supporter praised Bristol Rovers for their stature but was damning on his side’s performance, he said: “The fact we are playing Bristol Rovers in L2 is a massive show of how far Town have come. That said, we were truly shocking today. Need to front up to teams like this from the off.”

Saturday’s victory was also a different experience for Rovers goalkeeper James Belshaw, who arrived at the Mem from Harrogate.

The 31-year-old joined on a free transfer from the Yorkshiremen, having spent five years at the club, where he helped them to two promotions.

He kept a clean sheet on his return to Wetherby Road and despite the risk of upsetting his old supporters, he tweeted his delightin securing a win.

Belshaw tweeted four pictures on social media with the caption of "+3 with a Gas emoji, accompanied with a blue and white heart."