Harrogate Town AFC

After impressing in midweek with a 2-0 win away at Gillingham Simon Weaver and his Town side will be hoping for a repeat performance when they travel to Cumbria to face Barrow tomorrow afternoon.

Goals from Matty Daly and Alex Pattison earned all three points and Town will be hoping to continue their recent unbeaten run against the Bluebirds, although a stiff test awaits at Holker Street with Barrow coming into the game on the back of 2-1 win against Walsall in midweek.

Our opponents

After an inconsistent season that saw them flirt with relegation towards the end of the campaign Barrow have begun the 2022/23 campaign in strong form under new manager Pete Wild.

They have posted three wins from their four fixtures so far, also finding their scoring touch having netted eight times.

Wild wasted no time in making his mark at the club, bringing in the likes of Sam Foley from Tranmere, Myles Kenlock from Ipswich, Ben Whitfield from Stockport and FC Halifax Town pair Billy Watters and Ty Warren. The club also brought in Sam McLelland on loan from Chelsea.

The club did see Offrande Zanzala, Ollie Banks, Matthew Platt and Remeao Hutton all depart.

Previous meetings

Since both sides earned promotion to the EFL Town are yet to be defeated by tomorrow's hosts. After Town won an early season meeting between the two sides, coming from behind to earn a 2-1 win thanks to a pair of second half goals from Alex Pattison, the return fixture at Holker Street ended in a goalless draw.

The 2019/20 season saw Town do the double with strikes from Jack Muldoon enough to earn a pair of 1-0 wins in both encounters.

The man in charge

After a couple of caretakes spells in charge at boyhood club Oldham Athletic, Wild took over permanently in March 2019. However, his time in charge was short-lived and he left the club after just nine games.

He later took charge at FC Halifax Town where he spent three seasons in charge, including guiding them to the playoffs last season before moving to Barrow.

Ones to watch

Ben Whitfield has made an immediate impact since an eve of season move from Stockport, netting twice – including against his former side – and adding three assists.

Josh Gordon also has two goals so far this season in attack, where he will likely partner Billy Watters with Josh Kay in support.

Former Salford-man Robbie Gotts adds some creativity in midfield whilst the backline features young Sam McLelland and veteran Niall Canavan.

History

Having been a member of the Football League for half a century Barrow failed to earn re-election following the 1971/72 season, spending the years in between in the top two levels of non-league football before promotion at the end of the 2019/20 season.

During this time, the club lifted the FA Trophy in 1990 and 2010, becoming the only side to win the trophy at both the old and new Wembley Stadium.

The 2020/21 season was their first back in the Football League for 50 years.

Team news

Simon Weaver continues to be without defenders Rory McArdle, Will Smith, Josh Falkingham and Max Wright as they continue their recovery from injuries that has seen them miss the beginning of the 2022/23 season.