Wimbledon were better suited to conditions – Harrogate boss Simon Weaver

Harrogate manager Simon Weaver was quick to acknowledge that AFC Wimbledon were worthy winners of their League Two clash at a windswept Wetherby Road.

The Wombles ran out 3-0 victors in North Yorkshire as they climbed back into a play-off position, with Josh Kelly, John-Joe O’Toole and Matty Stevens on target, but could easily have finished the game with more goals to their name.

The Sulphurites, by stark contrast, failed to create a single clear-cut opportunity while also struggling to cope with their visitors at the opposite end of the field.

Weaver felt that Johnnie Jackson’s visitors adapted better to the challenging conditions created by Storm Darragh’s journey across the country.

“Today we were just beaten in key moments, two set-piece goals and a mistake,” Harrogate’s manager said.

“I think that Wimbledon’s physicality was better suited to the conditions and they took advantage of that. I think they played the conditions well. There were six-footers coming at us from all angles and it was difficult.

“We worked hard at set-pieces in training in the week, but they were better in those situations and deserved their lead at half-time because they were such a threat.

“And it changes the psyche of the team when you’re 2-0 down, it’s blowing a gale, you’ve just lost the last game and have a mountain to climb once again.

“It’s hard to overcome a three-goal deficit when it’s so early on in the game, but at least the players stuck at it in awful conditions.”

While Wimbledon had 19 shots at goal over the course of the 90 minutes, eight of which were on target, Harrogate managed to test visiting stopper Owen Goodman just the once.

On his side’s lack of creativity and attacking threat, Weaver said: “Basically, we didn’t show enough quality to break them down or have any real sustained pressure.

“Decision-making at key moments is hurting us at the moment.”

Jackson was pleased with how his side stood up to the stormy conditions.

He said: “It was a really good performance in difficult circumstances.

“The conditions were really tough but I thought we managed them well and we thoroughly deserved the win.

“We played smart and made good decisions. The two halves were going to look very different with the way the wind was blowing, but we decided we would defend the wind in the first half using the energy in our legs, and then hope to use it to our advantage in the second half.

“We went in with a good advantage from the first half so that definitely helped, we had something to build on. We saw the game out well and we probably should have scored more, but we’ll take three.”