Harrogate Town are back on the road this weekend to make the relatively short trip across the Pennines in search of all three points away at Oldham Athletic.
Our opponents
Despite last week's 1-0 win at Rochdale, their second victory of the season, The Latics come in to the game bottom of League Two, having taken a single point from their four home games to date.
In contrast to last season where they were the division's second top scorers (as well as having the leakiest defence), Saturday's opponents have scored five goals in their opening nine games.
Last season
Both sides prevailed on opposition turf last season, with a George Thomson brace sealing a 2-1 win for Town at Boundary Park on Boxing Day.
However, with Keith Curle in charge for the return fixture late in the season, goals from Alfie McAlmont, Dhylan Bahamboula and George Blackwood saw them stroll to a 3-0 win at The Envirovent Stadium.
The man in charge
Curle took over after the club dispensed with the services of Harry Kewell in March and guided them to an 18th placed finish winning five of his games in charge. Overall, Curle has posted seven wins from his 25 games in the dugout.
The former Northampton boss had a stellar playing career, making over 700 appearances, most notably for Wimbledon, Manchester City and Wolves, also winning three England caps and was part of the Euro ‘92 squad.
Ones to watch
The club lost last seasons top scorer Conor McAleny over the summer as well as seeing Cameron Borthwick-Jackson move on and McAlmont return to parent club Leeds United.
Davis Keillor-Dunn hit double figures last season as well as contributing a number of assists and he will be key going forward alongside Bahamboula who lit up League Two last season down the final stretch and has netted twice this season.
At the back is a familiar face in veteran Carl Piergianni, whom fans will recall from his days at Salford City and former Leyton Orient midfielder Ousseynou Cisse joined the club at the end of the transfer window.
History
For much of their history the club competed outside of the top two divisions. The Latics heyday though came in the 1990's under Joe Royle and promotion was earned enabling the club to be one of the founder members of the Premier League.
Members of Royle's squad, such as Earl Barrett, Paul Warhurst and Dennis Irwin, subsequently made moves to bigger clubs and received international recognition, also netting the club significant transfer fees in the process.
During this time they reached the League Cup final as well as two FA Cup semi-finals but the club were relegated from the top flight in 1994 with Royle then departing for Everton. Former player Graham Sharp took charge but he failed to return them to the top flight and they were further relegated in 1997.
A string of managers tried and failed to get the club out of the third tier, often amidst off-field financial issues and the Latics were eventually relegated to League Two in 2018, for the first time in almost 50 years, where they have resided since.
Team news
Town will check on the fitness of Lewis Page ahead of the game, but will be without Rory McArdle for an extended period of time following an avulsion injury to the adductor (groin) tendon which requires surgery.
Tickets
Tickets are now on sale online through Oldham's website via the below link...
BUY TICKETS
Advance prices are as follows:
Adult: £18.00
O65: £8.00
Under 21 (with valid ID): £8.00
Under 18: £5.00
Tickets are also on sale on the day via both cash and card at the below prices...
Adult: £22.00
O65: £10.00
Under 21 (with valid ID): £10.00
Under 18: £7.00
Away Travel
Harrogate Town Independent Supporters Club are running coaches to the fixture, departing Harrogate Town at 11am and 12pm.
MORE INFO
Parking
Away fans are advised to park in the Elk Mill Retail Park car park which is a five minute walk from Boundary Park and there is no charge for parking here as long as you do not park in front of the DW Sport Gym as you can only park here for two hours.
Streaming
The fixture is not available to stream in the UK.
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