Report: Leeds United 1-0 Harrogate Town | OneFootball

Emirates FA Cup Third Round

Leeds United 1 (Ramazani 59’)

Harrogate Town 0

Leeds: Darlow (GK), Ampadu (C), Struijk (Rodon 65’), Rothwell (Tanaka 65’), Solomon (James 77’), Ramazani, Joseph, Guilavogui, Byram (Firpo 77’), Gnonto (Gruev 89’), Schmidt. Subs not used: Meslier (GK), Bogle, Aaronson, Wöber.

Harrogate: Belshaw (GK), Moon, Burrell (C), Cornelius (Taylor 72’), Daly (Duke-McKenna 83’), Sims (Asare 83’), O’Connor, Sutton (Dooley 77’), Muldoon (Folarin 71’), March, Morris. Subs not used: Oxley (GK), Daly, E. Solomon, Bray.

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 35,584 (3,951)

Referee: James Bell

Booked: Guilavogui (Leeds) Morris, Burrell (Harrogate)

Leeds United faced local Yorkshire opponents Harrogate Town in the Emirates FA Cup third round under the lights of Elland Road, and progressed into the next round thanks to Largie Ramazani’s second half strike.

Coming into the match, the Sulphurites had beaten both Wrexham and Gainsborough Trinity in the previous two rounds to reach this stage, whereas Daniel Farke’s side were playing their first game of the competition.

Between the posts at either end, both James Belshaw for Harrogate and Karl Darlow for the Whites had a touch of the ball early on, denying Ramazani and Jack Muldoon’s early efforts.

There had been limited chances early on at either end, but it was Ramazani who went close again. Mateo Joseph controlled well and played the winger into the box, and low with a left-footed drive, he made Belshaw save once more.

Chances that did arrive came through set-plays. On more than one occasion, celebrating his 30th birthday, Joe Rothwell's deliver into the box looked to cause problems to the away side.

Swapping roles, this time it was Joseph going close. Ramazani collected Rothwell’s ball in midfield and burst forward, played the striker in on the left, he controlled well and shot but saw the goal bound effort cleared away at the last moment.

Heading towards the half-time whistle and Belshaw was beaten this time, but the post wasn’t! Joseph went on a solo run, twisting in and out, he shot from the edge of the box but his shot cannoned off the bottom of the post this time.

A relatively quiet first half had seen Leeds have plenty of the ball and search for an opening, but the opening 45 minutes ended goalless.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-0 Harrogate Town

Neither team had made a change at the interval and they were both back out in this Yorkshire derby, looking to secure a passed into the fourth round.

The away side started the second half the stronger of the two and put some pressure on the Leeds goal early on. On more than one occasion, Darlow had to claim crosses into the box, in amongst a congested penalty area.

Straight back down the other end though, the Whites would hit the woodwork for a second time. Good work from Sam Byram saw him cleverly find Manor Solomon, the winger set himself and curled towards the top corner, but clipped the top of the bar.

The breakthrough finally arrived, just before the hour mark! Solomon was the creator, tricking his way down the left and chipping into the box to find Ramazani perfectly placed to head home and put Leeds ahead!

Following the goal, the game saw plenty of stoppages, as both teams made substitutions. Entering for Leeds at different points were Ao Tanaka, Joe Rodon, Junior Firpo and Dan James.

The away side had proved tricky opponents throughout android continue to try and create chances. Entering the final 10 minutes, Darlow had to be alert and was so, rushing out of his goal to deny Josh March one on one, before James Daly sliced well wide on the rebound.

With Harrogate pushing forward, Leeds were able to counter attack them. Joseph broke free through midfield and played the recently introduced James into the box, he shot, but saw Belshaw save again.

When the full-time whistle sounded at Elland Road, it confirmed a safe passed in the fourth round for Farke’s after Ramazani’s goal was the difference alongside another clean sheet.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Harrogate Town