- Largie Ramazani’s 59th minute goal saw Leeds overcome Harrogate Town
- A much-changed Leeds side should have been more ruthless in front of goal
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! Why Manchester United may have to sell Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho
Hereford, Histon, Rochdale, Sutton, Newport and Crawley. They are the lower-league teams who have knocked Leeds out of the FA Cup this century, and for an hour at Elland Road on Saturday night, home fans feared Harrogate were about to add their name to that list.
As it was, Largie Ramazani’s header ensured the Championship leaders squeezed past the League Two strugglers. But this was a nervous night for Leeds in the first-ever competitive meeting between the Yorkshire sides – and Daniel Farke was just relieved his club avoided another embarrassment.
‘The main thing is to progress to the next round,’ said the Whites boss.
‘It is never easy because for some of their team it is the game of their lives. They played an excellent game, but I am pleased we got back to winning ways.’
Harrogate’s chief executive Sarah Barry was asked in the week if the North Yorkshire spa town was ‘too posh for football’.
Well, Simon Weaver’s men rubbished such a suggestion by taking the fight to a team ranked 68 places above them in the football pyramid – even if they ultimately failed to give them a bloody nose.
Largie Ramazani scored the only goal as Leeds beat Harrogate in the FA Cup third round
Ramazani managed to find the net in the 59th minute of the tie at Elland Road
Toby SIms of Harrogate is left frustrated after his effort was kept out by Karl Darlow
Josuha Guilavogui of Leeds looks to retain possession under pressure from Jack Muldoon
‘I am immensely proud,’ said Town manager Weaver. ‘This was a massive moment on our journey. It was a sink or swim moment in the players’ careers and they swam tonight. It was a great night for the club.’
Weaver thought Harrogate could have had an early penalty when Josh March took a tumble in the box after tangling with Josuha Guilavogui, who was making his first start for Leeds.
That, though, was the last time the visitors would find themselves anywhere near the home goal in a first half dominated by the Whites, with Mateo Joseph striking the woodwork from the edge of the box just before the break.
Harrogate, playing just the second third-round tie in their history, enjoyed more of the ball at the start of the second half with March drawing a first save out of Karl Darlow.
But just as the underdogs were growing in confidence, Manor Solomon brushed the bar for Leeds with a curling effort.
Then, in the 59th minute, the Israeli winger raced past Dean Cornelius down the left before standing up a cross to Ramazani, who found himself unmarked five yards out to comfortably nod into the net to roars of relief inside Elland Road.
Leeds were denied a second when Harrogate goalkeeper James Belshaw blocked substitute Daniel James’ close-range shot with his legs.
It meant Town still had hope in the dying stages, but Farke’s favourites held firm to reach the fourth round.
Leeds’ Mateo Joseph goes for goal during the FA Cup third round tie on Saturday evening
Daniel Farke saw his Leeds side progress to the fourth round despite him making eight changes
