Harrogate Are In Dreamland As They Create History!

It was joy for Simon Weaver, the manager since 2009, as he took the club owned by his father Irving into the Promised Land of the EFL.

It was recompense for the long-serving boss, unpaid and over-worked when he answered an advert in The Non-League Paper some 11 years ago.

He didn’t expect an interview, but it was a conversation which would go on to take a team watched by 200 people on a journey to facing Bolton Wanderers and local big boys Bradford City.

They were worthy 3-1 winners and in truth should have been out of sight at half-time.

It took less than five minutes to find the first goal, George Thomson poking home after right-back Ryan Fallowfield did so well to find him.

Aaron Martin should have doubled the lead before Connor Hall did. After Martin again couldn’t get is angles right, the defender mopped-up from close range.

Martin could have had a hat-trick before half-time, he whacked the post with time running out - but were these missed chances going to come back and haunt the Yorkshire club?

The words on everyone’s lips at the break were that the next goal would be critical.

If Notts got it, game on - but a Harrogate third would surely kill the contest.

Two minutes after half-time, we got an answer. Callum Roberts, a star of the semi-final, came alive as he whipped a wonderful free kick low and hard.

Lifeline grabbed, game on under the Arch.

But Harrogate had other ideas, they weren’t about to let their biggest ever day get away from them.

Jack Diamond, the 20-year-old wide man, was so composed on an afternoon where many lost their heads in front of goal.

He buried the loose ball into the back of the net for 3-1 and it was enough to make history.

It knocked the stuffing out of Neal Ardley's team when they sensed a come-back could be on.

It was nearly 4-1 when John Stead, the veteran striker, hit the post in time added on.

That would have added the gloss on a glorious afternoon for Harrogate as they prepare for League Two for the very first time.

Reaction from Wembley Stadium to follow...