Luke Armstrong's fast start to life at Harrogate Town has come at no surprise to Town boss Simon Weaver.

The striker joined from Salford City this summer after having impressed Harrogate boss, Simon Weaver, during his outstanding season on loan with Hartlepool United.

Armstrong scored 15 in 31 league games for the North East outfit last year, consequently playing a significantly major role in helping Pools achieve their promotion to League Two.

This season is proving to be no different for the young Englishman either, as he has carried on in the same rich goal-scoring vein as last term, netting three times already in Harrogate’s first three league games.

Town boss Simon Weaver revealed Armstrong’s continued form from last season has come as no surprise to him.

“I just felt very good about it. I don’t know if I envisaged him scoring three in his first three, but I envisaged him doing well for us because of his talent”, Weaver told the Harrogate Advertiser.

“We knew he had a lot to his game and he came to us off the back of a good spell with Hartlepool where he ended up playing on television in the play-off final and scoring that important goal to help them to promotion.

“He arrived here confident and fit and with a bit of an aura about him. We were excited to be able to bring him in and we are delighted he has hit the ground running.”

It’s more than just goals that Armstrong brings to his performance too. Weaver also reflected on his striker’s overall display away a Leyton Orient saying, "Every part of his game was outstanding.

"He was up against two very good central defenders with reputations at this level and they couldn't deal with him at times.

"He got there first, he planted his body in between man and ball, he looked quick, strong in the air and he scored two goals.

The Verdict

Obviously impressed and excited by his recent success at Hartlepool, personally as well as what the club achieved, Weaver wasted no time in his pursuit of Armstrong. What he probably wouldn’t want to admit is that this could have been looked at as a risky signing.

The gap in standard between National League and Football League is bigger than most clubs and players sometimes realise. This move was always going to be a test for Armstrong so that’s where the element of risk comes in for Weaver. Having a fantastic season last year, though and albeit in the National League, will have only helped build the striker’s confidence in how good he can be.

Fast forward to now and it’s looking like a brilliant signing. Risk, what risk? Armstrong has took to life in the Football League like a duck to water, scoring three goals in the club’s three opening league games.

The 25-year-old has the opportunity this season to really show what he can do in this league and he’s already made the best possible start. If Armstrong can replicate a campaign similar to last, it’ll be hard to imagine him not playing in another step above next season, regardless of where Harrogate finish.