Notts County v Harrogate Town: Simon Weaver desperate to hand supporters a day out at Wembley

The Wetherby Road outfit face the Magpies in the semi-final of last season’s FA Trophy, knowing that victory will see them return to the home of football, the scene of last month’s National League play-off triumph

That victory, over tonight’s opponents. earned Harrogate an historic promotion, although no supporters were allowed inside the stadium to witness it due to social distancing measures.

But, with the Trophy final having been postponed from its scheduled date of September 27 due to the recent rise in the number of Covid-19 cases, it is expected that spectators will be able to attend when the showpiece is eventually rearranged for later in the year.

“So much is at stake, we owe it to the fans, they’ve still not had the experience of Wembley,” Weaver said.

“We want it for ourselves and for our fans to join us and be present for the experience that Wembley gives to you all.

“These are testing times. We’re involved in sport and it is a release, with our growing support we just want to give them something to cheer in a pretty much otherwise-gloomy period of our lives. It would mean so much.

“So, it (tonight’s semi-final) is going to be a big occasion, it’s another big game and something that the lads will all be really fired up for.

“We’re delighted to still have a chance of earning our place in the final and we’ll be going all out because this is an important game for the club and a chance to make a bit of history.”

Town’s previous outing saw them fail to hold onto a 2-1 lead at home to Walsall on Saturday, with Weaver saying after the game that he felt that his players “ran out of steam” in the second half.

And although he revealed that he may rest one or two against the Magpies if they still appear fatigued, he has ruled out the possibility of wholesale changes at Meadow Lane.

“There’s one or two looked a bit jaded and we’ll assess them to see if they make the starting line-up,” added Weaver.

“But there will be no huge changes, I don’t see the need for that.”