Harrogate Town in a good place heading into Chesterfield FC clash

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver feels that his squad is in a good place heading into Tuesday night's National League clash at Chesterfield.
Lloyd Kerry, right, in action for Harrogate Town during his side's 1-0 win over Chesterfield at the Proact Stadium in 2018/19. Picture: Matt KirkhamLloyd Kerry, right, in action for Harrogate Town during his side's 1-0 win over Chesterfield at the Proact Stadium in 2018/19. Picture: Matt Kirkham
Lloyd Kerry, right, in action for Harrogate Town during his side's 1-0 win over Chesterfield at the Proact Stadium in 2018/19. Picture: Matt Kirkham

The Wetherby Road outfit sit second in the table, five points clear of third-placed Yeovil Town having played a game less, knowing that victory against the Spireites would trim leaders Barrow's advantage at the summit to five points.

And, after Saturday's thrilling 3-2 success at AFC Fylde propelled them into the semi-finals of the FA Trophy, Town are approaching 2019/20's home straight fighting on two fronts, and with all very much still to play for.

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"The lads are just looking forward to each game because to have something riding on every match, that's the way that you want it to be," Weaver said.

"We're in a position where we're trying to consolidate a top-three position [in the National League] for the first time in our history and at the same time, you never know, if we can put a bit more pressure on Barrow - we're not expected to do so - but it would be great if we could.

"So we've got a great mindset going into every league game and then we've got ourselves into a semi-final [of the FA Trophy] and been able to utilise the full squad in the process, and that has made every squad member feel valued.

"There's a really good feeling inside the changing room. On and off the pitch, everybody is working as one towards that common goal of hopefully promotion and a Wembley final."

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While Town are eyeing promotion, Chesterfield are scrapping just to stay in the division, and head into Tuesday night's contest in 21st place.

Their current position doesn't really do their recent form justice, however, and John Pemberton's men will fancy their chances of escaping the relegation zone sooner rather than later having lost just once in six matches.

Indeed, the Spireites have won four of those fixtures, and are unbeaten at home since mid-December.

They thrashed Ebbsfleet United 4-0 in their previous outing as Nathan Tyson hit a 23-minute hat-trick, a display which caught the eye of Weaver.

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"I watched their last game and they were very good second half, and you're thinking 'how are they in the bottom four?'

"John Pemberton has done a brilliant job and they've got some big players. Nathan Tyson, who is on loan there, he'll be a threat because last time out he scored a hat-trick in 45 minutes.

"We just have to be brave and hopefully dominate possession as much as possible and get on the front foot.

"It's another big game against another ex-Football League club at a great stadium to visit, and hopefully we can put in a similar performance to last year when we beat them, and hopefully get a similar result.

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"We'll be taking a lot of supporters, I would imagine, and we just need to keep the hammer down now."

Town won 1-0 at the Proact Stadium last term and also came out on top in their most recent meeting with Chesterfield, a 3-1 victory in North Yorkshire at the end of November.

On target for Weaver's men that day were Josh Falkingham, Jack Muldoon and Ryan Fallowfield, the latter of whom is an injury doubt for Tuesday's match, which kicks-off at 7.45pm.

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