AFC Telford 0 Harrogate Town 0 - Report
A disappointing season had a lacklustre end as AFC Telford United drew 0-0 with Harrogate Town, writes Joe Edwards at the New Bucks Head.
After back-to-back losses, the Bucks were keen to stop the rot as the National League North campaign drew to a close - and they were rarely troubled.
As has so often been the case though, Rob Smith's charges did not have a cutting edge as the affair ended goalless.
Analysis
Having had safety confirmed the weekend prior, Telford were able to play without pressure and the aim was to give the Bucks faithful something to cheer as a season of very few positives drew to a close.
Smith made two changes to the side that lost 1-0 at Darlington as Connor McCarthy and Danny Reynolds, making a very rare start, came in for Eddie Jones and Zak Lilly - who was left out of the squad.
Joel Dielna was also absent, but there was a place in the 16 for Benji Robinson - a striker who has been prolific for the club's youth team.
As was expected, given both sides had very little to play for other than pride, the affair started at a relatively slow pace.
Neither side was dominating possession, although there were chances for each team - most notably skipper Luca Havern heading over from close range for Telford, and Simon Ainge hitting the side netting for Harrogate.
The rest of the first half continued in typical end-of-season fashion, with the most significant incidents being Lee Hughes picking up a booking and Havern having to change his shirt, and put on a bandage on, after bleeding from a cut to his head.
There were no changes made at the interval and the second period started in the same vein, in front of a subdued crowd of 1,047.
Smith needed to freshen things up, and he did just prior to the hour mark as McCarthy and Reynolds were taken off, with Dan Westwood and youngster Robinson coming on.
Dave Hibbert then entered the fray, in place of Lee Hughes, but nothing really changed. Robinson did get the fans on their feet a few times though with his electric pace and fearlessness.
Ash Rawlins then made a fine stop with his right ankle, late on, to deny Dominic Knowles as the game drew to a close. Now fans will be hoping the imminent rebuilding of the squad over the summer will have the desired effect - and not result in another relegation fight next season.
Key moments
9 - Not far off. Harrogate's Simon Ainge hits the side netting from an acute angle. The defender-turned-striker has 22 goals to his name this campaign.
12 - A decent cross comes in from the left and Telford skipper Luca Havern, from around six yards out, heads well over the bar. He should have at least hit the target.
38 - Telford's Lee Hughes is booked for a late challenge on Adam Porrit. Not much happening here.
51 - Dominic Knowles finds himself in a one-on-one situation with Telford keeper Ash Rawlins, but his touch is terrible and the clearance is made.
65 - Bucks man Josh Wilson almost puts the ball into his own net. After the ball is cut back from the left, his touch is bound for the near corner but Rawlins pulls off a sharp save with his feet.
87 - Rawlins makes a fine stop to keep out Knowles. The 21-year-old from Arleston has done well on his New Bucks Head debut.
Teams
Telford (4-3-3): Rawlins; Samuels, Bailey, Havern (c), Higham; Fitzpatrick, Rea, Wilson; Reynolds (Westwood, 58), Hughes (Hibbert, 67), McCarthy (Robinson, 58)
Subs not used: Royle, McCone
Harrogate (4-4-2): Crook; Porrit, Lees, Ellis (c), Parker; Emmett, Platt (Thirlwell, 85), Agnew, Leesley; Knowles, Ainge
Subs not used: Pittman, Willis, Shiels, Elliot
Position in the table
17th (42 points from 42 games)
