2020–21 Harrogate Town A.F.C. season

The 2020–21 season is the first season of Harrogate Town in the Football League following their promotion from the National League in the previous season. They will compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football, alongside the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy. The club began the season at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, whilst a grass pitch was installed at their traditional Wetherby Road stadium in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Harrogate Town
2020–21 season
ChairmanIrving Weaver
ManagerSimon Weaver
StadiumKeepmoat Stadium (until 6 October)
Wetherby Road
League Two18th
FA CupFirst round
EFL CupSecond round
EFL TrophyGroup stage
Top goalscorerLeague: Jack Muldoon (11)
All: Jack Muldoon (11)

Background
A socially distanced crowd at Wetherby Road in December 2020.

The 2019–20 season saw Harrogate Town finish second in the National League, and thus qualified for the play-offs.[1] They defeated Boreham Wood 1–0 in the semi-final,[2] before a 3–1 victory over Notts County in the final secured Harrogate's promotion to the Football League for the first time in their history.[3]

Since the EFL require all matches to be played on grass pitches, the club will play all their home matches for the first month of the season at Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium whilst the club replace their synthetic pitch at Wetherby Road.[4]

At the end of June 2020, defenders Maxim Kouogun, George Smith and Matty Taylor were all the released following the expiry of their contracts whilst the contract of midfielder Sam Jones was terminated with immediate effect.[5]

Transfers

Transfers in
DatePositionNamePrevious club[lower-alpha 1]FeeRef.
11 August 2020MFConnor KirbySheffield WednesdayFree transfer[6]
11 August 2020DFJake Lawlor WrexhamFree transfer[7]
13 August 2020MFTom WalkerAFC FyldeUndisclosed[8]
14 August 2020DFKevin LokkoDover AthleticFree transfer[9][10]
11 September 2020GKMelvin MinterKings LangleyFree transfer[11]
3 October 2020DFCalvin Miller CelticFree transfer[12]
7 January 2021DFJay WilliamsKettering TownUndisclosed[13]
18 January 2021MFSimon PowerNorwich CityUndisclosed[14]

Loans in
Date fromPositionNameFromDate untilRef.
11 September 2020DFDan JonesSalford CityEnd of season[11]
5 January 2021FWJosh MarchForest Green RoversEnd of season[15]
6 January 2021MFWilliam HondermarckNorwich CityEnd of season[16]
8 January 2021FWJosh McPake RangersEnd of season[17]
8 January 2021DFMitchell RobertsBirmingham CityEnd of season[18]
1 February 2021FWJosh AndrewsBirmingham CityEnd of season[19]

Loans out
Date fromPositionNameFromDate untilRef.
25 September 2020MFScott BrownWarrington TownEnd of season[20]
23 October 2020GKMelvin MinterDarlington16 January 2021[21][22]
10 November 2020MFJoe LeesleyBoston UnitedEnd of season[23][24]
30 November 2020MFTom WalkerNotts County3 January 2021[25]
11 January 2021MFCalvin MillerNotts CountyEnd of season[26]

Transfers out
DatePositionNameToFeeRef.
22 September 2020MFLiam AgnewBlyth SpartansMutual consent[27][28]
28 September 2020DFMatt TaylorWarrington TownFree transfer[29]

Friendly matches
Win Draw Loss
DateTime[lower-alpha 2]OpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 3]ScorersAttendanceRef.
21 August 202016:00Middlesbrough U23Away2–0Falkingham 27', Muldoon 30'0[lower-alpha 4][30]
25 August 202019:45Brighouse TownAway0–0—200[31]
29 August 202015:00SunderlandAway0–1—0[lower-alpha 4][32][33]

Competitions

League Two
Main article: 2020–21 EFL League Two

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
10 Leyton Orient 27 11 5 11 34 29 +5 38
11 Crawley Town 25 9 8 8 36 34 +2 35
12 Walsall 25 8 11 6 32 33 −1 35
13 Oldham Athletic 26 10 4 12 41 46 −5 34
14 Harrogate Town 27 9 6 12 31 34 −3 33
15 Mansfield Town 24 7 11 6 32 30 +2 32
16 Port Vale 28 9 5 14 40 43 −3 32
17 Scunthorpe United 26 10 2 14 28 34 −6 32[lower-alpha 5]
18 Colchester United 26 7 11 8 28 34 −6 32[lower-alpha 5]
Updated to match(es) played on 9 February 2021. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[34]
Notes:
  1. Brackets around club names denote the player's contract with that club had expired before he joined Harrogate
  2. Time shown in local time (BST or GMT)
  3. Harrogate Town's score shown first
  4. Match played behind closed doors
  5. Ranked on matches won: Scunthorpe United 10, Colchester United 7.

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
27 9 6 12 31 34  −3 33 2 4 6 9 15  −6 7 2 6 22 19  +3

Last updated: 9 February 2021.
Source: BBC Sport

Results by round
Matchday123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627
GroundAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHHAAHAAHAAHAH
ResultWDDLWWWLDLLDLWLLLWLWLDDLWWL
Position13612874681114121412151717171716181818202014
Updated to match(es) played on 9 February 2021. Source: 11v11
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

The League Two fixtures were announced on 21 August 2020, with Harrogate's first fixture being away to Southend United.[35]

Win Draw Loss
DateTime[lower-alpha 1]OpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 2]ScorersAttendanceRefereeRef.
12 September 202015:00Southend UnitedAway4–0Muldoon (2) 25', 69', Kerry 44', Martin 60'0Antony Coggins[36]
19 September 202015:00WalsallHome[lower-alpha 3]2–2Martin 32', Muldoon 42'0James Adcock[37]
26 September 202015:00Port ValeAway0–00Ben Toner[38]
3 October 202015:00Bolton WanderersHome[lower-alpha 3]1–2Thomson 61'0Ben Speedie[39]
12 October 202019:45Bradford CityAway1–0Kerry 74'0Darren Drysdale[40]
17 October 202015:00BarrowHome1–0Muldoon 22'0Declan Bourne[41]
20 October 202019:45Grimsby TownAway2–1Muldoon (2) 25', 43'0Seb Stockbridge[42]
24 October 202015:00Colchester UnitedAway1–2Stead 61'0Will Finnie[43]
27 October 202019:00StevenageHome0–00Graham Salisbury[44]
31 October 202015:00Newport CountyAway1–2Smith 44'0Paul Howard[45]
3 November 202019:00Tranmere RoversHome0–10Ross Joyce[46]
14 November 202015:00Crawley TownHome1–1Muldoon 85'0Martin Coy[47]
21 November 202015:00Leyton OrientAway0–30Neil Hair[48]
24 November 202019:00Mansfield TownAway1–0Miller 27'0Carl Boyeson[49]
1 December 202019:00Scunthorpe UnitedHome2–5Muldoon 35', Hall 90+2'0Paul Howard[50]
5 December 202015:00Forest Green RoversHome0–1410Marc Edwards[51]
12 December 202015:00MorecambeAway0–10Ollie Yates[52]
15 December 202019:45Exeter CityAway2–1Kiernan 31', Muldoon 75'1,559Lee Swabey[53]
19 December 202015:00Salford CityHome0–10Trevor Kettle[54]
26 December 202015:00Oldham AthleticAway2–1Thomson (2) 30', 71'0Ben Speedie[55]
9 January 202115:00Cambridge UnitedAway1–2Muldoon 10'0Carl Brook[56]
19 January 202119:00Exeter CityHome0–00Scott Oldham[57]
22 January 202119:00Salford CityAway2–2Muldoon 37', Francis 90+3'0Marc Edwards[58]
26 January 202119:00Tranmere RoversHome2–3McPake 25', March 72'0Andy Haines[59]
30 January 202115:00Newport CountyHome2–1March 34', Martin 66'0Christopher Pollard[60]
6 February 202115:00Crawley TownAway3–1Martin 13', March 30' (pen.), Power 45+3'0Dean Whitestone[61]
9 February 202118:00Cheltenham TownHome0–10Graham Salisbury[62]

FA Cup
Main article: 2020–21 FA Cup

The draw for the first round was made on 26 October.[63] The second round draw was revealed on Monday, 9 November by Danny Cowley.[64]

Win Draw Loss
RoundDateTime[lower-alpha 1]OpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 2]ScorersAttendanceRefereeRef.
First round6 November 202019:45Skelmersdale UnitedHome4–1Miller 1', Beck 45+3', Lawlor 68', Martin 73'0Bobby Madley[65]
Second round28 November 202015:00BlackpoolHome0–4—0James Oldham[66]

EFL Cup
Main article: 2020–21 EFL Cup
Win Draw Loss

The first round draw was made live on Sky Sports on 18 August 2020, with Harrogate being drawn away to fellow League Two side Tranmere Rovers, with the match set to be played on 5 September 2020.[67] The draw for both the second and third round were confirmed on September 6, live on Sky Sports by Phil Babb.[68]

RoundDateTime[lower-alpha 1]OpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 2]ScorersAttendanceRefereeRef.
First round5 September 202015:00Tranmere RoversAway1–1 (8–7 p)Kerry 69'0Tom Nield[69]
Second round16 September 202018:00West Bromwich AlbionAway0–30Thomas Bramall[70]

EFL Trophy
Main article: 2020–21 EFL Trophy
Win Draw Loss

The regional group stage draw was confirmed on 18 August.[71]

Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 L1 Hull City 3 2 0 0 1 6 2 +4 6 Advance to Round 2
2 ACA Leicester City U21 3 2 0 0 1 6 5 +1 6
3 L2 Harrogate Town 3 1 0 1 1 5 5 0 4
4 L2 Grimsby Town 3 0 1 0 2 3 8 −5 2
Source: EFL.com
RoundDateTime[lower-alpha 1]OpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 2]ScorersAttendanceRefereeRef.
Group stage8 September 202019:45Grimsby TownAway2–2 (4–5 p)Kiernan 81', Lokko 86'0James Bell[72]
Group stage6 October 202019:45Leicester City U21Home[lower-alpha 3]3–1Stead 16', Jones 20', Kiernan 58'0Andy Haines[73]
Group stage10 November 202019:00Hull CityHome0–20Peter Wright[74]

Statistics

Appearances and goals
Last updated 07 February 2021.
No. Pos Nat Player TotalEFL League TwoEFL CupEFL TrophyFA Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Goalkeepers
1 GK James Belshaw 250230001010
13 GK Joe Cracknell 8030202010
25 GK Melvin Minter 0000000000
Defenders
2 DF Ryan Fallowfield 210180201000
3 DF Dan Jones 11170102110
5 DF Will Smith 161131201000
6 DF Warren Burrell 310240203020
12 DF Jake Lawlor 191150002021
20 DF Connor Hall 281251200010
22 DF Ed Francis 9191000000
26 DF Kevin Lokko 6110003120
27 DF Jay Williams 3030000000
29 DF Mitchell Roberts 1010000000
Midfielders
4 MF Josh Falkingham 280240200020
7 MF George Thomson 323263202020
8 MF William Hondermarck 1010000000
14 MF Brendan Kiernan 263211003220
15 MF Connor Kirby 220160103020
17 MF Lloyd Kerry 233172213010
19 MF Calvin Miller (out on loan) 132101001021
21 MF Scott Brown (out on loan) 0000000000
23 MF Tom Walker 11070103000
Forwards
9 FW Mark Beck 15190202021
10 FW Aaron Martin 305244203011
11 FW Joe Leesley (out on loan) 0000000000
16 FW Jon Stead 182131203100
18 FW Jack Muldoon 29112411201020
24 FW Josh March 5353000000
28 FW Josh McPake 5151000000
30 FW Simon Power 4141000000
31 FW Josh Andrews 1010000000

Top scorers

Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by squad number when total goals are equal.

Last updated 07 February 2021.
Rank Position Nationality No. Player EFL League Two EFL Cup EFL Trophy FA Cup Total
1 FW18Jack Muldoon1100011
2 FW10Aaron Martin40015
3 MF7George Thomson30003
MF14Brendan Kiernan10203
MF17Lloyd Kerry21003
FW24Josh March30003
4 FW16Jon Stead10102
MF19Calvin Miller10012
5 DF3Dan Jones00101
DF5Will Smith10001
FW9Mark Beck00011
DF12Jake Lawlor00011
DF20Connor Hall10001
DF22Ed Francis10001
DF26Kevin Lokko00101
FW28Josh McPake10001
FW30Simon Power10001
Own goals00000
TOTALS 31 1 6 3 41

Cleansheets

Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by squad number when total cleansheets are equal.

Last updated 07 February 2021.
Rank Position Nationality No. Player EFL League Two EFL Cup EFL Trophy FA Cup Total
1
GK1James Belshaw50005
2
GK13Joe Cracknell20002
TOTALS 7 0 0 0 7

Disciplinary record

Includes all competitive matches.

Last updated 07 February 2021.
Position Nationality Number Name League Two EFL Cup EFL Trophy FA Cup Total
MF4Josh Falkingham6100001071
DF6Warren Burrell6100001071
MF17Lloyd Kerry4100001051
DF20Connor Hall2100000021
DF5Will Smith0110100021
DF3Dan Jones3000001040
DF2Ryan Fallowfield3000000030
MF15Connor Kirby3000000030
MF7George Thomson2000000020
FW24Josh March2000000020
FW10Aaron Martin1000000010
DF12Jake Lawlor1000000010
DF29Mitchell Roberts1000000010
MF28Josh McPake1000000010
DF26Kevin Lokko0000100010
MF19Calvin Miller0000001010
TOTALS 33 4 1 0 2 0 5 0 41 4

Notes
  2. Harrogate Town's score shown first
  3. Match played at the Keepmoat Stadium.

References
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