County Christmas Day Sixteen: County Hammer Harrogate in Last 16!

On Day 16 of our #CountyChristmas Countdown, we look back to the last 16 of last season’s FA Trophy, as we came from behind to hammer National League Harrogate to reach the quarter-finals!

County went in to the game on the back of a stunning nine-match winning run in all competitions, and were looking to reach the FA Trophy Quarter finals for the second successive season, but they faced a huge challenge against a Harrogate side flying high in the National League play-off places.

What looked to be an uphill task became all the more daunting as the hosts took the lead, Jordan Keane the unfortunate man, deflecting a cross into his own net – the first goal County had conceded in the competition all season.

County came storming back though, and extraordinarily, just five minutes later, the Hatters weren’t just level, but managed to get their noses in front!

First Adam Thomas restored parity with a superb finish, drilling across goal and into the far corner before, straight from kick-off, Frank Mulhern raced clear to slide County in front, to the delight of the traveling fans.

A wonderful save from Ben Hinchliffe kept County in front at the break, and just three minutes into the second-half the Hatters punished Harrogate, Matty Warburton racing on to a poor backpass to round the ‘keeper and fire home his 22nd of the season.

County weren’t done yet however, and incredibly added a fourth with ten minutes to go, Mulhern again going round the ‘keeper, twisting inside the desperate challenges of the defenders before slamming home his second of the game to stun the Wetherby Road.

Harrogate grabbed a late consolation, but this was to be County’s day, and a result that laid down a real marker for the remainder of the season.


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