Leeds United 1-0 Harrogate Town: FLW report as Ramazani sends Whites into fourth round

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Football League World

·11 janvier 2025

Leeds United 1-0 Harrogate Town: FLW report as Ramazani sends Whites into fourth round

Report, ratings and reaction from Elland Road as Leeds United face Harrogate Town in the FA Cup.

Largie Ramazani's second-half goal edged Leeds United past Harrogate Town and into the FA Cup fourth round.

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Leeds struggled to put their League Two opponents to the sword at Elland Road and the Championship leaders needed Ramazani's headed goal just before the hour to send them through this third round clash.

Leeds United 1-0 Harrogate Town

Ramazani heads Daniel Farke's side into the fourth round

There was a wastefulness about Leeds' first-half performance, not in terms of clear-cut chances, but certainly snatching at what presented itself.

Largie Ramazani was wayward with a couple of attempts and had others held by James Belshaw, whilst Mateo Joseph went closest, hitting the bottom of the post on the stroke of half-time.

Harrogate had defended heavy Leeds possession well on the whole, whilst carrying some threat through Jack Muldoon and Josh March - the latter seeing early penalty appeals waved away after a coming together with Josuha Guilavogui.

A goalless first-half with the Championship's leaders will have pleased Simon Weaver's League Two strugglers, particularly given the strength of Leeds' starting line-up.

Harrogate's start to the second-half was more adventurous. Dean Cornelius forced a last-ditch tackle from Pascal Struijk and March drew a save from Karl Darlow after a lucky break.

Leeds' threat remained, though, as Manor Solomon clipped the crossbar. The winger then helped break the deadlock, teasing Cornelius on the left before darting beyond the Harrogate winger and lifting a cross onto the head of Ramazani to open the scoring.

Harrogate had a flurry of set-pieces but neither their corners nor throw-ins resulted in serious attempts at Darlow's goal.

Leeds, meanwhile, pushed for a second with Joseph shooting wide and substitute Dan James forcing Belshaw into a save.

The second goal wasn't needed, with Leeds edging out their spirited lower league visitors.

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Player ratings

Leeds United

Karl Darlow - 6

Isaac Schmidt - 7

Josuha Guilavogui - 5

Pascal Struijk - 7 (Joe Rodon - 6)

Sam Byram - 6 (Junior Firpo - 6)

Ethan Ampadu - 7

Joe Rothwell - 6 (Ao Tanaka - 6)

Willy Gnonto - 6 (Ilia Gruev - n/a)

Manor Solomon - 8 (Dan James - 6)

Largie Ramazani - 7

Mateo Joseph - 5

Illan Meslier

Jayden Bogle

Brenden Aaronson

Max Wober

Harrogate Town

Daniel Farke's reaction

Minutes were offered to the returning Firpo and Gruev

"Well done to Harrogate. They played an excellent game in terms of defending, but I'm also pleased we progressed through into the next round. Back to winning ways, a clean sheet and also good in the way we brought some minutes into some players.

"A pretty, pretty good night for us and, for that, we are all happy.

"This game was important to bring the likes of Junior and Ilia back into the team to give them the feeling of being back involved after long-term injury. They are important for us."

Simon Weaver reaction

Harrogate boss beams with pride

"Immensely proud of the whole evening from our perspective. The players were right on it.

"There were a lot of emotions in the build-up to the game. It's a massive moment on our journey, and we wanted to impress. That brings nerves as well. Going down the tunnel and the fantastic atmosphere, that's what you want to play, perform and manage in front of.

"After 15 minutes I thought, 'yeah, they're digging in'. Sink or swim moments in people's careers and they swam tonight. So proud of each individual in our team."

"The challenge for all of us, even the fans, is come to see us against Cheltenham to sustain our life in the Football League. We need that vocal support and we need numbers. 4,000 fans for an away trip tonight. We'd love dearly to have 4,000 regularly at home."