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17
Jan
Shrewsbury Town vs Harrogate Town: Pressure mounts ahead of relegation six-pointer
The pressure is on for Harrogate Town today (January 17) as they prepare to face Shrewsbury in a League Two relegation dogfight.
Town sit inside the relegation zone with 18 points, while Shrewsbury sit just outside of it with 19, although they have a game in hand over Simon Weaver’s side.
The Sulphurites are still fighting to end a dreadful run of form that has now lasted for almost four months. The last time they won in the league was against Gillingham on September 27.
But the signs are somewhat positive for Harrogate, who have looked better in recent matches, despite not having the results.
A late equaliser away at Crewe was probably deserved in what manager Simon Weaver dubbed as Harrogate’s best performance against the Railwaymen since they entered the football league.
Although two late goals condemned Town to defeat away at League One side Stockport County on Tuesday (January 13), Weaver’s men put in a strong performance characteristic of their EFL Trophy campaign this season.
On another day, Harrogate could have been quarter-finalists.
Tom Cursons scored again on Tuesday.
Signings could be the difference
Despite losing long-serving goalkeeper James Belshaw this week, Harrogate have made some encouraging signings in the January window.
Goalkeeper Henry Gray, signed on loan from Ipswich Town, looked assured between the sticks on his debut in Stockport, making some important saves. Grant Horton has also impressed.
Town fans will also hope to see some action from Town’s three other January signings: Chase Headman, Cathal Heffernan and Emile Acquah.
Acquah, a physical striker, joined on loan from Dundee FC, while young defenders Headman and Heffernan joined from Brentford and Newcastle respectively, on 18-month contracts.
Henry Gray looked assured on his debut against Stockport County.
Beatable opponents
Shrewsbury do not pose as overly intimidating opponents. In the reverse fixture, Harrogate ran out 2-0 winners.
In one less league match, the Shrews have only scored two more goals than Harrogate’s 19 this season, which is the worst in the league. They have also conceded one more goal than Harrogate, with 41.
Both teams have lost four and drawn one in their last five games, with Shrewsbury currently on the back of a four-game losing streak.
Town have also been better away from home this year, winning 11 of their 18 points on the road. This could prove vital at New Meadow today.
When asked about the importance of the fixture, Simon Weaver said:
It’s important. It’s important we don’t overhype it as well and just stay calm, stay level and dig in, from the first minute to the last minute. The performances are better, and we just have to keep on getting better until we break that duck and go and get a win.
I don’t want us to be cagey. I want us to be bold and strong and positive. This is the career we’ve chosen, and there are pressure points – this is one of them. We’ve just got to go out there and be strong and be on the front foot when we can, but also be level-headed.
Harrogate will kick off away to Shrewsbury at 3pm today.
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