National League promotion final: Harrogate Town beat Notts County 3-1 to secure place in League Two
- Published
Harrogate Town only went professional before the 2017-18 season, winning promotion from National League North that season
Harrogate Town sealed promotion to the English Football League for the first time in their history with victory over Notts County at Wembley.
Ryan Fallowfield teed up George Thomson's early opener for Harrogate, while Connor Hall tapped in a second.
Notts pulled a goal back through Callum Roberts' superb free-kick soon after the break.
Jack Diamond sealed Harrogate's place in League Two by guiding home Jack Muldoon's cross with 20 minutes left.
Victory ensured Harrogate won their second promotion in three seasons as their ascension to the EFL was confirmed courtesy of a comfortable and commanding performance in the National League promotion final, which took place behind closed doors because of coronavirus restrictions.
Harrogate stormed out of the blocks, with Thomson poking them in front from close range, and should have doubled their lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Aaron Martin shot narrowly wide.
Notts almost levelled when Fallowfield did well to block Kristian Dennis' shot, only for Hall to slide in the Yorkshire side's second from a free-kick.
County were almost out of it just before the break as Martin came within inches of sending Harrogate 3-0 ahead as he hit the post after capitalising on some poor defending.
Neal Ardley's Notts side were reinvigorated after Roberts reduced their arrears and they should have got back on level terms when Roberts and Kyle Wootton both fired just wide.
However, Diamond's goal extinguished any hopes of a comeback, as the Sulphurites held on to seal a historic win.
George Thomson's early goal gave Harrogate the perfect start
Harrogate's year to remember
It is 365 days since Harrogate began the 2019-20 season with a 2-2 draw at Solihull Moors and, one year later, they ended it with victory at Wembley and promotion.
With the season curtailed because of the coronavirus pandemic, Harrogate had only met Notts on one occasion coming into the final; losing 2-0 to them last August.
But Simon Weaver's side have come a long way since that point, and finished second in the table behind Barrow, who were crowned champions on a points-per-game basis.
Both sides had plenty to play for, with Notts aiming to make an immediate return to the EFL - of which they are a founder member - just over 12 months since their 130-year spell in the league ended.
Town had never played at the national stadium prior to their meeting with Ardley's side, but they looked unfazed by the occasion as they dominated the first half.
Four years ago, Ardley led AFC Wimbledon to promotion from League Two through the play-offs at Wembley, but he could not replicate the feat this time around despite a spirited start to the second half.
It was an afternoon to remember for Harrogate, who ensured a spot in England's top four tiers for the first time ever, and sealed a second promotion in three seasons.
'A dream come true' - post-match reaction
Harrogate manager Simon Weaver told BBC Radio York:
"It's a dream come true. It's an unbelievable experience today. The lads deserve it and all the backroom staff as well. Everyone has played an important role.
"I was appointed 11 years ago and I think I proved I couldn't do it on my own. But, wind the clock forward, and now we feel like a force at this level.
"Our front players set the tone. We might not have profited (in front of goal) as much as we'd have liked but I still said, at half-time, you have got to take 2-0 at half-time at Wembley.
"It was a great free-kick and they were in charge of it for 10 minutes, we dropped a little bit deep, but [Jon Stead] Steady did great when he came on to the pitch. That bit of class, entering the pitch. It was a great way to end the game."
Notts County boss Neal Ardley told BBC Radio Nottingham:
"I'm devastated. We just weren't at it. Everything we worked on during the week was about how fast Harrogate would come out. To see us at six and sevens was disappointing. We prepped them perfectly for that game, for exactly what happened.
"I'm delighted with how we responded in the second half but we conceded poor goals today and, on the day, the best team has won. Too many players who have been magnificent this season didn't quite have their game on.
"I'm not going to have a go at the boys and let it define how well they've done this season. They're all devastated, naturally, but I can only reiterate to them how proud I am of what they've achieved."