Harrogate Town v Sutton United: Simon Weaver welcomes big selection decisions

Simon Weaver’s Sulphurites, who currently sit second in the table having won nine of their opening 13 matches, needed a replay to see off seventh-tier Bury in the competition’s fourth qualifying round.

Safe passage eventually secured, they will now be looking to carry on their push for an immediate return to League Two when they entertain Sutton United at Wetherby Road (12.30pm).

Town head into that fixture having come out on top in each of their last four league outings, a run during which they have also kept three consecutive clean sheets.

And they approach their showdown with the U’s with plenty of options in key positions, leaving boss Weaver with some big calls to make when it comes to his team selection.

Lewis Cass is expected to slot into the right of Harrogate’s back three having done exactly that when he came off the substitutes’ bench to replace Grant Horton after he picked up a first-half hamstring injury during Tuesday’s 3-1 success over Bury.

Having scored twice from the right wing-back position and been heavily involved all night, it would be a surprise to see Ellis Taylor deployed elsewhere, though Lewis Payne is fully fit again now and pushing hard for a starting berth.

In midfield, on-loan Leyton Orient midfielder Michael Craig staked his claim for more game-time having given a good account of himself in both Bury ties, on what were his first starts for the club.

The form and influence of fellow midfielders Bailey Hobson, Will McGowan and Josh Hmami makes all three likely starters, though if Weaver does pick all three alongside Craig, then it would mean that one of Brad Dolaghan or Ciaran McGuckin would miss out having both netted against the Shakers.

Shawn McCoulsky also has to come into the conversation for the number nine role, presenting Weaver with another tough decision to weigh up.

“We do have good options,” the Sulphurites chief told the Harrogate Advertiser.

“At the top end of the pitch, all three of the forwards have been doing very well. Ciaran scored a world-class goal against Bury and looked really strong in those two games, while Brad is a box-finisher, whose allround game is improving all the time.

“Then there is Shawn with his physicality and everything that he brings that so endears him to everybody. They are all top players with different facets to their game.

“In midfield, all the lads are contributing. Michael Craig came in against Bury and ran 12k when he was playing a holding role because he was looking to get about and show what he can do. And there’s the likes of Payney, who has really been pushing himself in training to stake a claim.

“I know that all of the lads want to be playing games and are disappointed when they’re missing out, so it can be difficult to balance it all, but I wanted to have strength in depth this season. So really, I don’t mind having these kind of decisions to make.”

While Town have been flying of late, 13th-placed Sutton have struggled after making a bright start to their 2026/27 campaign.

The south London outfit have failed to win any of their previous five National League fixtures (three draws, two losses), with their last victory a 2-1 home success over Eastleigh on September 15.

Most recently, the U’s were beaten 2-0 at home by unbeaten league leaders Boreham Wood, while Saturday saw them record a 1-0 FA Cup success over National League South side Truro City.

Sutton do however boast a decent record against Harrogate, and at Wetherby Road, having lost on just one of their five previous visits.

The last time the sides met, the points were shared as April 2024’s League Two clash ended 2-2.