Harrogate Town are set to return to action today after a covid outbreak set back the start of the club’s League Two campaign.
Town will face Barrow at the EnviroVent Stadium, two weeks since the club last played against Rochdale in their opening game.
The outbreak forced the club to postpone two EFL fixtures and forfeit a Carabao Cup tie against Rochdale.
Five players tested positive and others had to self-isolate as a result of the outbreak.
Manager Simon Weaver said on Thursday that the postponed fixtures were frustrating, but added that the players were now through the worst of it.
“Initially it was a feeling of frustrating and deflation really. We’d come off the back of a really good opening day win and the circumstances of a last minute winner from Warren as well. It was a blow but it’s not insurmountable.
“Covid is part of our everyday life now so people getting it wasn’t a total surprise and I think we’ve reacted strongly to it. The players have rested up and come through the worse of it now and we’re looking forward to a couple days training and a big game.”
Not using covid as an excuse
Town returned to training on Thursday morning following the enforced break, which saw games against Crawley and Leyton Orient rearranged.
Read more:
- Harrogate Town postpones three matches due to covid outbreak
- Harrogate Town out of cup after players catch coronavirus
Weaver said the players would have two sessions ahead of Barrow, but would not use covid as an excuse for the short preparation.
He said:
“I think we don’t use covid as an excuse, no matter what.
“We’re firmly focused on the game and we’ve got that excitement in our stomach like how it was on the opening day.
“The crowd were exhilarating on that day and really lifted us all so we’re really looking forward to getting back home and that’s the lucky thing about it, the first game back is at home – a place we’ve got very good recent memories of.”
Simon Weaver after the win against Rochdale on the opening game of the season. Picture: Matt Kirkham, Harrogate Town.
Weaver expects a physical game
Both Barrow and Harrogate Town were promoted from the National League in 2019/20, but Town got the upper hand over the Cumbrian side last season.
Jack Muldoon scored both goals in two 1-0 wins over Barrow in both clubs inaugural season in the EFL.
Barrow will be without striker Dimitri Sea, Jamie Devitt, midfielder Mike Jones and Tom Beadling for today’s clash.
Sea will remain on the sidelines as Barrow follow concussion protocols and Devitt has a thigh injury.
Jones is short of fitness and Beadling faces a long period out due to a partial tear to his crucial ligament.
Town manager Weaver said he expects Barrow to be more physical this season.
He said:
Harrogate Town fans criticise number of people allowed in stadium“They’re up for it and I think a bit more physical this season, and under Mark Cooper they have a lot of experience.
“But, we also think we have a lot in our ranks which can allow us to have a real good go at them and play our way. It’ll be great to have the fans behind us like against Rochdale and to win would be great, especially in the circumstances.”
Harrogate Town supporters have raised concerns about the number of people allowed in the club’s home ground on Saturday to watch the team play.
With spectators banned from attending matches due to covid, many fans paid £10 to watch a livestream of the game against Barrow.
Town won 1-0 and many fans in the Harrogate Town Supporters Facebook group hailed the team’s performance at the EnviroVent Stadium.
But 15 fans posted comments in the group about what they considered to be an excessive amount of people in the stands.
Although fans are not permitted to attend fixtures, club directors and staff, media and match volunteers, such as ballboys and girls, are allowed in.
One fan said it “was an absolute joke the amount of people in the ground today”.
Another said it was “not fair on the fans” and one described it as a “kick in the teeth”.
Harrogate Town declined to comment when approached by the Stray Ferret.
The club has won a lot of praise recently for its off the pitch initiatives as well as its performances on the pitch.
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Earlier this month, club chairman Irving Weaver told the Stray Ferret it was a “big loss” not having supporters in attendance during the club’s first-ever season in the English Football League.
Do you think there were too many people at Wetherby Road on Saturday? Watch the highlights below and judge for yourself.
Match Preview: Harrogate Town return homeHarrogate Town will play in Harrogate for the first time since July, when they face fellow EFL newbies Barrow at the EnviroVent Stadium this afternoon.
There will, of course, be no fans in attendance at Wetherby Road due to coronavirus restrictions, but fans can stream the game for £10 through the club’s website. The game kicks off at 3pm.
Work has now been completed on the new grass pitch after the former artificial 3G surface was removed due to EFL regulations. The club said goodbye to their temporary home of the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster with a 3-1 win against Leicester City’s under-23 side earlier this month.
Whilst recent competitive fixtures against Bolton, West Brom, and Bradford were firsts for the club, Barrow is altogether more familiar territory, having played Town 23 times previously.
They were the two best sides in last season’s National League, with Barrow going up as champions.
However, the Cumbrian outfit have made a faltering start to the season and are currently in 22nd, with no wins in any of their first five fixtures.
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Town will be looking to build on an excellent victory over Bradford City in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Monday night.
Jack Muldoon’s assist on Monday night saw him become the most prolific player in the division so far this season, with a goals and assists ratio of 1.37 per 90 minutes.
Barrow manager David Dunn will assess the fitness of striker Scott Quigley who was forced to miss last weekend’s game against Leyton Orient after picking up a knock in training.
Town manager Simon Weaver said he expects a tough game this afternoon.
He said:
“We had a good win against them at the start of last season and 3-0 flattered us a little bit. But after that, they went on an unbelievable run to win the league. They have strengths all around but, hopefully, ours on the day outweigh theirs.”