"The two armies met up in Yorkshire,
Both leaders the same tactics tried;
To each soldier they gave a big standard to wave,
In hopes they’d impress t’other side".
(Marriott Edgar)
Well, it’s been quite some time since we were able to say “We’re 4 points clear at the top, so even if we lose we will still be top”. This team hasn’t lost an away League 2 game since 7th September though (M K Dons 1-0), and Harrogate Town’s position and current form doesn’t indicate that we will come a cropper - but as with all football matches, you never know, do you?
Harrogate Town are still very much the newcomers in Football League terms, only gaining entrance in 2020 by overcoming Notts County 3-1 in the non-league play-off final. Since then they’ve maintained a solid if unspectacular showing in League 2 - they did manage a “first” in April 2021, their home game against Port Vale being officiated by a woman referee.
In Harrogate’s current squad there are two goalkeepers - nothing unusual in that, except that both of them have Walsall connections. Mark Oxley (squad number 1) was loaned to us in 2009 by Hull City but didn’t actually play in our colours, and James Belshaw (squad number 31) was on our books as a youth player but turned down a one-year contract in favour of trying his luck on the other side of the pond.
Harrogate’s current form in League 2 is a bit hit-and-miss…
November 9th Morecambe (H) Lost 1-2
November 16th Chesterfield (H) Won 2-1
November 23rd Gillingham (A) Won 1-2
December 3rd Salford City (A) Lost 2-0
December 7th AFC Wimbledon (H) Lost 0-3
December 14th Tranmere Rovers (A) Lost 2-1
The only other unusual feature of Harrogate Town is that their Chairman (Irving Weaver) and Manager (Simon Weaver) are father and son, which could make for some memorable Saturday evening conversations…
Prediction? This game could be more tricky than it would appear on the surface, and I’d be happy with a point. We will be without Jamille Matt (suspended) and George Hall (injured), so it’s possible that Albert Adomah could be pressed into service up front, which isn’t always ideal. Harrogate have only scored 17 goals in their 20 League 2 games, so perhaps 1-1 ?
UTS