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Winners of National League Playoff Final secure promotion to League Two

The winners of Sunday afternoon’s much anticipated National League Playoff Final secure promotion to League Two, and what a game it was.

Harrogate Town, who finished 2nd in the table, took on 3rd place Notts County, and because of they ended up in those positions, both sides had a bye to the semi finals.

Simon Weaver’s side beat Boreham Wood 1-0 at that very stage, whilst Neal Ardley’s men knocked out Barnet with a 2-0 win.

As mentioned by Ollie Bayliss below, Harrogate spent their whole 106 years in non league whilst Notts County have been out of the EFL for just one season in their 158 year history.

The final was sure to make for an very interesting and exciting contest at an empty Wembley Stadium, and one team stormed it in the opening half.

Harrogate Town took the lead inside five minutes when Ryan Fallowfield’s low cross towards the near post was met by George Thomson who slotted the ball past the Notts County keeper.

Minutes later, Aaron Martin nearly made it two after breaking free, dragging his effort just wide.

A great block was needed by Fallowfield to deny Notts an effort goal-ward.

Town doubled their lead on the 27th minute, Thomson whipped in a delightful free-kick which Connor Hall prodding home with his left boot.

Ardley must have been furious with watching his side’s performance as Harrogate nearly made it 3-0 on the 30th minute as Jack Diamond’s chipped effort had to be cleared just before the goal line.

In the 40th minute, Martin ended up smashing the woodwork from close range.

The whistle blew for half time, but how the scoreline was only 2-0 to Harrogate let many puzzled. Town missed two big chances – Notts could have been dead and buried already.

Almost immediately from the restart, Notts County got themselves back in the game thanks to a free-kick which Wes Thomas won on the edge of the area and Callum Roberts struck the ball hard and in the goal it went.

Notts County were the better team in the second half, Roberts fired an effort inches wide before Kyle Wootton saw a shot saved at the near post on the 57th minute.

The Magpies continued to put pressure on the Yorkshire outfit, Enzio Boldewijn managed to wriggled through the middle and fired a shot over.

Just under 10 minutes later, Town work the ball well into the Notts box with Muldoon finding space for a shot but he couldn’t hit the target.

20 minutes from time, Harrogate got themselves a third when Muldoon played a great ball across goal for Diamond to smash home from close range. A huge goal in the tie.

Shortly after, Town moved the ball round nicely, which encouraged Thomson to take aim from 25 yards. His strike was a good one but straight at the keeper.

The 75th minute saw Belshaw with cat like reactions to stop Thomas from making it 3-2.

Despite chances for either side in the last 15 minutes, and Jon Stead hitting the post in injury time, Harrogate held on to be winners of the National League Playoff Final and secure promotion to League Two.

Barry Parker, BBC Radio York commentator at Wembley, said on the whistle: “Can you believe this? There is no reaction around this pretty empty stadium, for the greatest moment in Harrogate Town’s history.

“When Simon Weaver took this job on, so many years ago, the entire budget was around £1,000, I believe. The club was fairly penniless. Somehow he has put this team together.”

Harrogate winger Jack Diamond tells BT Sport: “It’s brilliant. All the lads wanted it so much. It’s a pleasure to be a part of it.

“We took our chances in the first half and put them under pressure.

“It’s been great to be here and I’ve just tried to learn from the lads.

“I missed a good chance in the first half so it was brilliant to take on to win it.

“I think it’ll be a cup of tea and an early night now… Nah, I’m sure it will be a great night with the lads.”

Harrogate captain Josh Falkingham told BT Sport: “It’s dreamland. It’s an emotional time for a lot of us.

“There’s not many big names in our group. We’re just a hungry group of lads.

“It’s been an amazing achievement. We’re going to wake up tomorrow hungover but delighted.

“They’re a good side and I think finishing second and third this was a deserved final.

“We managed it well when we were under pressure and got a goal at a good time.

“Jon Stead came on and his experience saw us through.”

HARROGATE LEAGUE HISTORY (SINCE 03/04)

2003-04 – NPL-P: 44 G, 24 W, 5 D, 15 L, 77 PTS, 5/23 POS
2004-05 – CONF-N : 42 G, 19 W, 11 D, 12 L, 68 PTS, 6/22 POS
2005-06 – CONF-N : 42 G, 22 W, 5 D, 15 L, 71 PTS, 5/22 POS
2006-07 – CONF-N: 42 G, 18 W, 13 D, 11 L, 67 PTS, 6/22 POS
2007-08 – CONF-N: 42 G, 21 W, 11 D, 10 L, 74 PTS, 6/22 POS
2008-09 – CONF-N: 42 G, 17 W, 10 D, 15 L, 61 PTS, 9/22 POS
2009-10 – CONF-N: 40 G, 8 W, 6 D, 26 L, 30 PTS, 21/21 POS
2010-11 – CONF-N: 40 G, 13 W, 11 D, 16 L, 50 PTS, 12/21 POS
2011-12 – CONF-N: 42 G, 14 W, 10 D, 18 L, 52 PTS, 15/22 POS
2012-13 – CONF-N: 42 G, 20 W, 9 D, 13 L, 69 PTS, 6/22 POS
2013-14 – CONF-N: 42 G, 19 W, 9 D, 14 L, 63 * PTS, 9/22 POS
2014-15 – CONF-N: 42 G, 14 W, 10 D, 18 L, 52 PTS, 15/22 POS
2015-16 – NAT-N: 42 G, 21 W, 9 D, 12 L, 72 PTS, 4/22 POS
2016-17 – NAT-N: 42 G, 16 W, 11 D, 15 L, 59 PTS, 11/22 POS
2017-18 – NAT-N: 42 G, 26 W, 7 D, 9 L, 85 PTS, 2/22 POS
2018-19 – NAT-P: 46 G, 21 W, 11 D, 14 L, 74 PTS, 6/24 POS
2019-20 – NAT-P: 37 G, 19 W, 9 D, 9 L, 66 PTS, 2/24 POS
2020-21 – LEAGUE TWO

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