Harrogate (A) Match Preview

Right. No Excuses. Let’s do it this time. After the unfortunate defeat to Stevenage on Saturday, United have another chance to secure League One status next season with a visit to Harrogate on Friday night. A point will have them essentially promoted (bar a wild, wild swing in goal difference from Morecambe or Tranmere) and a win will see that elusive (P) appear next to our name in the table. Defeat? Well it’s gonna make for a nervy one next week…

Despite everyone looking a bit leggy and tired during the Stevenage game we don’t think we’ll see too many changes from Bonner. Looking at the bench he doesn’t really have a huge amount of options really. Don’t be surprised if Jubril Okedina returns in place of Declan Drysdale and there’s the possibility we could see the return of Liam O’Neil or Adam May to the midfield in place of Luke Hannant, but other than that it’s as you were.

Expected U’s Line-Up: Burton, Knoyle, Okedina, Taylor, Iredale, Digby, Boateng, O’Neil, Hoolahan, Ironside, Mullin

Up front we expect to see Mullin and Ironside with Wes roaming all over the place behind them. Ben Worman has gone to Weymouth on loan to replace an injured Andy Dallas on the coast, and Harvey Knibbs is still injured. Harrogate have little to play for in the league, but will have one eye on Monday’s FA Trophy Final at Wembley although we’re not expecting an easy game.

Who’s Their Player To Watch? If we’re honest, we’ve never heard of half of them, so 38 year old Jon Stead is our pick. Watch out for him. What we will say is, that despite a squad boasting of Tom Walker, a Roberts and a Kiernan, we can confirm that UTAS haven’t infiltrated Harrogate’s first team in order to throw the game. We did try though.

Who’s In The Dugout? Simon Weaver. Journeyman lower league defender, he took over Harrogate back in 2009 and has since lead them to the Football League.

What’s Their Recent Form Like? P5, W1, D2, L2, For 6, Against 9

Any Ex-United Players? Nope

Last Time Out: Cambridge 2-1 Harrogate, January 9 2021

A Wes Hoolahan masterclass in the fog as Cambridge recover from an early goal to win 2-1.

From The Archive:

We’ve only played Harrogate the once before, so we’ve dug into the archives for footage of another evening trip up north, our 2-0 win against Rochdale in 1999, the last time we sealed promotion from this level.

UTAS Moosenet Tip: 2-1 United, Mullin