Back-to-back away wins against Forest Green Rovers and Swindon but we return to Vale Park looking for our first home league win against an undefeated Harrogate Town.
In the Dugout:
The former central defender Simon Weaver was appointed player manager of Harrogate Town when he joined the club in 2009. In 2018 the club reached the National League for the first time ever. Two years later they won promotion to the EFL after beating Notts County 3-1 in the National League playoff final. Weaver won his first game as a EFL manger beating Southend United 4-0 away from home.
Weaver on the Valiants “They look solid to me. We have looked at all their games, and I think they will be there or thereabouts. Darrell Clarke is a winner, and he sets up his team to be really organised defensively. It will be hard to prise them open, so we have to show patience and a real desire to defend balls into the box because they are a threat”.
Man with the Armband:
Midfielder Josh Falkingham captains Harrogate having joined the club in 2017. He began as a youth player for Leeds United before moving onto St Johnstone in 2010. For seven years he had spells at Arbroath, Dunfermline Athletic and Darlington before moving back to Yorkshire where he has made over 150 appearances for Harrogate.
He has started every league game this season in a side that has failed to lose. In the holding midfield role, he has contributed to one clean sheet in seven games in an impressive 2-0 win away to Leyton Orient.
Star Man:
25-year-old Luke Armstrong has been on fire for Harrogate since signing for them this summer from Salford City. His youth career started with Middlesbrough in 2009 before moving to Birmingham City five years later. His first professional start was for Cowdenbeath in Scotland in 2015 before moving onto Blyth Spartans, Middlesbrough, Gateshead, Accrington Stanley and Salford City.
He impressed out on loan at Hartlepool United which saw them get promoted to the EFL and his performances led him to being acquired by Harrogate. He has scored five goals this season which makes him Harrogate’s top scorer so far this season including a brace away to Leyton Orient.
Last time out and recent form:
In their last five games Harrogate have picked up three wins and two draws including a victory over Mansfield Town in the Papa John’s Trophy. They are unbeaten this season as well as managing to score in every game they have played up to this point.
Last Friday night they hosted Newport County in a two all draw with all of the scoring happening in the first half. Scott Bennett scored for the hosts on three minutes before Jack Muldoon equalised in the 34th minute. Just four minutes later Robbie Willmott got the lead back for Newport but Harrogate top scorer Armstrong got the hosts level again two minutes from half time.