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Apr
Attacking resurgence could lift Harrogate Town out of relegation zone
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Harrogate Town have picked a “great stage of the season” to rediscover their attacking edge, according to manager Simon Weaver, as they prepare for a crucial relegation clash with Newport County.
The Sulphurites scored five goals across their Easter fixtures, beating Grimsby 3–1 before a 3–2 defeat to Bristol Rovers. That tally accounts for nearly 15% of their 34 goals in 42 league games this season.
Before the weekend, Town had scored more than once in just four matches.
Weaver said:
We’re there to be shot at as a group, and we haven’t scored the goals required up to this point. But it’s a great stage of the season to come good in terms of creativity. Scoring five in two against good opposition bodes well for the business end.
Attacking dilemmas
The improvement has coincided with Ellis Taylor’s return from injury. The former Sunderland winger has contributed three goals and an assist, and gave a standout display against Bristol Rovers.
On the opposite flank, Reece Smith has continued to grow in confidence in his first English Football League season.
Despite coming under some criticism for a lack of goals across the campaign, his Messi-esque goal of the season contender against Tranmere in March showed just how much quality the 23-year-old possesses.
Weaver also has a selection headache in the number nine position.
Shawn McCoulsky impressed on his return at Grimsby, raising questions about his limited involvement since recovering from injury.
Weaver added:
I thought Shawn performed really well. He never gave them a moment to rest on the ball and physically knocked them about. He was aggressive, and he showed that in training, so that’s why he got the nod.
Despite not scoring, Shawn McCoulsky put in an excellent performance against Grimsby.
While Emile Acquah’s physical hold-up play has allowed Harrogate’s wingers more freedom, he only made two short cameos in both of Town’s recent away wins, against Grimsby and Tranmere.
With Town needing a win in South Wales, the onus is on Weaver to replicate the sides that have performed well away from home in recent weeks.
With Jack Muldoon still a doubt, McCoulsky might well be the sensible option to lead the line.
Now or never
Saturday’s trip to Newport is a six-pointer. The hosts sit just one point above Harrogate, with both sides posting similar returns over their last 10 games.
A win could lift Town out of the relegation zone for the first time since December. Defeat, however, would leave survival hanging by a thread with only three matches remaining.
The Sulphurites can’t afford to be cautious.
Weaver said:
We’re approaching the game exactly as the Tranmere game away, where we had a good result, the Oldham game away, where we didn’t get the result, but we peppered them, and again at Grimsby. It was a combination of being resolute and making sure we played progressive football and created chances, which we did on all three occasions.
Young midfielder Tobias Brenan can play a big part in Harrogate's bid for survival.
Newport have won the last two meetings between the sides, including October’s encounter at Wetherby Road — arguably one of Harrogate’s poorest performances of the season.
But this Town side is a far cry from the one seen during the disastrous run of form, which saw them winless in the league for 20 games.
The form hasn’t improved massively, but the football has. The free, attacking football seen post-January is hugely different to a few months prior, when at times the players looked completely lost.
With survival on the line, Harrogate must turn that progress into points this weekend—or risk leaving themselves with too much to do.
Harrogate face Newport away at 3pm tomorrow.
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