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26
Dec
Salford City vs Harrogate Town: Christmas cracker or Boxing Day hangover?
Harrogate Town have the chance to give their fans a late Christmas present today (December 26) when they travel to Salford in League Two.
Simon Weaver’s men are desperately in need of some festive cheer this season, having won none of their last 11 games in the league.
Sitting just one place off the bottom of the table, Town have only scored seven goals in those 11 matches. The last time they scored a goal at home was on October 6.
Salford, on the other hand, are in much better form and currently sit in the play-off places.
They have scored 32 goals in their 21 matches so far this year, 12 of which were scored in the last 4 league games. In comparison, Harrogate only have 18 all year in the league.
In the previous 12 meetings between the two clubs, Harrogate have only won one game. They are yet to win at Moor Lane.
The tidings do not look good for Harrogate.
But, despite this season’s woes, Town’s away form against better opponents hasn’t been too bad.
Although Bristol Rovers have been way below expectations this year, beating the relegated League One side away from home on the first game of the season was no short order.
The same could be said for results against Barnet, Notts County and Gillingham. Town were much better than Fleetwood away from home, but defensive errors cost them.
Town’s away form has been better than their home form this year too, with Weaver’s men having picked up 10 of their 17 points on the road.
Tom Cursons scored Town's goal away at Notts County in November.
Weaver himself may feel like he’s on the naughty list this year – a constant flow of major injuries for his best players must have the EFL’s longest-serving manager feeling hard done by.
But Town have grit, and they have enough quality players in the squad that can make things happen – you only need to look at the 3-3 draw against Grimsby for evidence.
And they have five years of experience battling their way away from relegation.
But an upturn in results needs to start now.
Losing or drawing to teams such as Accrington or Cheltenham, who, up until recently, were a matter of points off bottom place, are the matches Harrogate must be winning if they want to stand a chance of survival.
Harrogate have a crucial few weeks coming up. With four games in 10 games, they desperately need to pick up some points, or could face being left behind by the rest of the pack.
Should they lose all four, Weaver’s position could be in serious jeopardy come January.
But, for this year at least, the Weaver family has avoided an awkward Christmas dinner.
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