Town steeled for Corby
HARROGATE Town boss Simon Weaver has told his side to forget about their pre-season exploits tomorrow when their Blue Square North season kicks off away at Corby Town (3pm ko).
There’s no let up for Weaver and Co, who then welcome Droylsden to the CNG Stadium on Tuesday night (7.45pm) for their first home league game of the season.
Town have been impressive during their friendly fixture campaign losing just the once and holding a strong Leeds United Reserves to a goalless draw on Tuesday.
The signs are good for a strong Blue Square North showing this season but Weaver knows their impressive start will count for nothing if they don’t win tomorrow.
“It’s positive so far, we’ve been playing well and I’m very pleased the way pre-season has gone,” he said.
“But you don’t get any points for pre-season. It’s important we turn our performances into points when we get underway against Corby.
“It’s a tough start but we’re in a lot better position than we were this time last year. Corby are a good side, we’ve then got Droylsden at home on Tuesday.
“That’s two games against the second and third favourites according to the bookies to win the league in our first two games.
“It’s a really tough start but it will be a good test to see how we’ve come as a side.”
Weaver has been busy in the summer transfer market making a number of signings to bolster his squad before the big kick off.
The latest of these is former Grimsby Town defender Michael Jacklin who will come into contention for a starting place tomorrow.
After moving on from Blundell Park, Jacklin played for Evo-Stik First Division outfit Brigg Town and Weaver has plenty of faith in his new recruit.
“He captained the team on Tuesday against Leeds and he’s a big lad,” he said.
“He reads the game well and he will provide competition for Matt Bloomer and Richard Pell. He’s very focused and physical and for a lad who is 20, he is very mature.”
Weaver is waiting on the fitness of Aiden Savory, Steve Bowey and Martin Foster who are all struggling with injury for tomorrow however the gaffer feels they do have strength in depth this year.
“That’s one thing I’ve been talking about,” he added.
“This season we’ve got lads on the bench who are more than capable of coming on and not only doing a job but being just as good as the lads out.
“We’ll obviously keep our eyes on those guys.
“Hopefully they’ll be able to pull through but if not we do have cover.”
Town started the week with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.
Bradford took the lead at the Horsfall Stadium but it didn’t take long for Town to kick into gear after
Graeme Armstrong levelled proceedings, before Aiden Savory put Town ahead on 17 minutes after good work from Armstrong and Martin Foster.
In the second half, Wayne Phillips provided the cross for Armstrong to head in his second goal of the afternoon on 68 minutes, before Phillips scored himself two minutes later.
Then on Tuesday a strong Leeds team including Max Gradel, Jason Crowe and Lubo Michalik travelled to the CNG looking to turn a changed Town outfit over.
In an entertaining contest Weaver’s side held firm and managed to keep their more illustrious opponents at bay.
“It was a really good performance by us,” added the boss.
“I was really proud of them. “There were one or two great performances, Adam Nowakowski had probably his game of pre-season. We also carved out one or two good chances which I was pleased with.”
Weaver also revealed tricky winger James Naylor has signed on the dotted line after impressing against Leeds on Tuesday.
Naylor joins from NCE side Askern Villa and is available for tomorrow’s trip to Corby.
lHARROGATE Railway’s pre-season continued last Saturday, Nigel Danby’s men losing 4-1 at home to Ossett Town.
They then lost 2-1 to Knaresborough Town on Wednesday evening.
The new Evo-Stick Division One North season begins a week tomorrow, with Railway taking on Prescot Cables at home.
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Weather for Harrogate
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
