Harrogate Town set for Bradford derby day showdown

Harrogate Town are set to face off against Bradford City today in the first Yorkshire derby of the season.

Simon Weaver’s men go into the game following a hard fought point against Mansfield Town on Tuesday night.

The two sides face each other for the first time after the fixture at Valley Parade was postponed on Boxing Day.

A bumper crowd is expected at the Envirovent Stadium as both teams look set to face each other twice in just over a fortnight.

Speaking to the media ahead of today’s game, Weaver said:

“We’re really looking forward to this fixture and been looking forward to it all season. We like the derby games, getting stuck into to the heat of the battle and they don’t come any bigger for us at this level than Bradford City.

“We’ve enjoyed them over the years, the battles with York City and now at this level we’re playing against the likes of Bradford with their rich history and the fanbase, they’ll bring in lots of fans.”

Simon Weaver after the win against Rochdale on the opening game of the season. Picture: Matt Kirkham, Harrogate Town.

Simon Weaver, Harrogate Town manager. Picture: Matt Kirkham, Harrogate Town.

Weaver confirmed that centre-back Rory McArdle and Lewis Richards face fitness tests after picking up injuries against Mansfield.

Ryan Fallowfield and Simon Power remain sidelined with injury.

Bradford looking to avenge last season

Meanwhile, Bradford head into the fixture just three points above Town in the League Two table.

The Bantams will be looking to avenge the two defeats they suffered at the hands of Harrogate last season.

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Bradford can expect a strong support at Wetherby Road after fans sold out their 550 ticket allocation within a minute.

City will be without Charles Vernam and Dion Pereira. But Nathan Delfouneso could make his debut and Luke Hendrie is available for selection.

Jamie Walker is also fit, despite going off injured against Leyton Orient.

Bradford manager Derek Adams said his side will be prepared for the occasion at Harrogate.

He said:

“We are looking forward to it, but we have to understand the environment of the game.

“We have a full capacity away crowd with us and they have a good following too. The atmosphere will be good.

“Harrogate have done really well since they have come up and will want to beat us, but we are going there to win the game.”

Harrogate Town’s Boxing Day clash with Bradford postponed

Harrogate Town‘s game away at Bradford City on Boxing Day has been postponed due to a covid outbreak in the Bradford squad.

Bradford City told the English Football League that it would be unable to field a full team for the fixture due to the number of covid cases in their squad.

The Yorkshire derby was one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the year for Town fans, with a large crowd and a festive atmosphere expected at Bradford. It will now be rearranged.

A host of games in the Premier League and the English Football League were postponed over the weekend due to covid outbreaks.

Harrogate Town are due to travel to Tranmere tomorrow in the second round of the Football League Trophy.

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Match Preview: Bradford City vs Harrogate Town

When Harrogate Town won promotion to the English Football League, Bradford City away was the fixture many fans were looking forward to most.

Harrogate are no strangers to the city, having recently played in the National League North against Bradford Park Avenue.

However, Bradford City’s 25,000 all-seater Valley Parade is worthy of a higher division and would have been a special day out for fans.

Instead, they will have to make do watching the game, which kicks off at 7.45 pm tonight, live on Sky Sports.

Muldoon set to return

Both clubs have five points so far, with Town having played one more game than their West Yorkshire rivals.

City beat Stevenage 2-1 in their last league fixture whilst Town’s good start to the season faltered when they went down last week 1-2 against Bolton Wanderers.

Town missed Jack Muldoon against Bolton but Simon Weaver has confirmed that the free-scoring forward is likely to return after recovering from a recent injury.

Weaver could give a start to experienced striker Jon Stead, who played for Bradford on loan in 2014/15.

He said:

“The fixtures do not come much bigger for us at this level. We are looking forward to it and have been doing since the fixtures were released.

“Bradford have an experienced manager who Paul Thirlwell knows very well in Stuart McCall, who is a club legend.

“We have looked at their games and they have some really experienced players, so it is sure to be a big challenge.”

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City manager Stuart McCall said he is looking forward to the game:

“Harrogate have started very well and are a good footballing side.

“They have two guys in Simon Weaver and his assistant Paul Thirlwell – who I know well having played with him at Sheffield United – who have done a fantastic job. We are really starting to see the emergence of the football club as a whole.

“They play some very good football and are a strong team. It is a match I am really looking forward to.”