Harrogate Town v Chesterfield: Simon Weaver wary of Spireties backlash, but demands response from own players

Aaron Williams scored a last-gasp leveller for Harrogate Town last time Chesterfield visited the CNG Stadium. Picture: Matt Kirkham

The Spireites were humbled on their own ground by the National League’s bottom side, Chorley, last time out, going down by a 3-2 scoreline.

“We’ve got be to be braced for a big performance from them and one full of passion,” Weaver said.

“You’d expect that they’ll be looking for a reaction and we know it’s going to be a difficult game.

“They’ll have a big crowd behind them in the Wetherby Road stand as well, and that will only to add to the challenge, but, to be honest, I’m expecting something of a response from our players as well.

“I was disappointed with the outcome at Bromley after we were three goals up and we need to put that right.”

Chesterfield currently sit 18th in the National League standings having won just five of their 20 league games in 2019/20.

They did however come into last season’s corresponding fixture in similarly poor form only to find themselves within seconds of winning 1-0 in North Yorkshire, the now-departed Aaron Williams salvaging a late point for Town. Harrogate then triumphed 1-0 when the sides met at the Proact in February.

Weaver has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s clash and Warren Burrell comes back into contention having been forced to sit out last weekend’s 3-3 draw against Bromley after suffering a knock to his head in the recent FA Cup loss to Portsmouth.

Mitch Hancox, who arrived at Wetherby Road on a short-term loan deal from Solihull Moors on Friday, goes straight into the Town squad and is expected to play some part in the game.

Chesterfield manager John Sheridan will hope to have defender Josef Yarney (hamstring) back available, while winger Gevaro Nepomuceno has returned from international duty.

It was initially thought centre-half Will Evans would be suspended for Saturday after collecting his fifth booking of the season against Chorley, but it has since been confirmed that one of his yellow cards came in the FA cup, meaning that he is eligible play.

The returning Laurence Maguire may come into Sheridan’s thoughts while forwards Liam Mandeville and Mike Fondop will be pushing for starts.