Stopping former loanee Jerry Yates will be key to Harrogate Town's chances of making FA Cup history

Blackpool striker Jerry Yates spent time on loan at Harrogate Town back in 2015/16. Pictures: Getty ImagesBlackpool striker Jerry Yates spent time on loan at Harrogate Town back in 2015/16. Pictures: Getty Images
Blackpool striker Jerry Yates spent time on loan at Harrogate Town back in 2015/16. Pictures: Getty Images
Simon Weaver knows that stopping Blackpool’s front-two of Gary Madine and Jerry Yates will be crucial to Harrogate Town’s chances of causing an FA Cup upset this weekend.

The duo have nine goals between them so far this term, with the latter also boasting three assists for the League One Tangerines, visitors to Wetherby Road on Saturday.

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Madine is more of a household name having played in the Premier League for Cardiff City in the not-too-distant past, though it is the threat of Yates that Weaver is all too aware of.

The former Rotherham United forward spent a couple of months on loan with Harrogate back in 2015/16, netting four times in eight matches when the Sulphurites were still a National League North club.

Town boss Simon Weaver.Town boss Simon Weaver.
Town boss Simon Weaver.

“Jerry was fantastic when he came to us from Rotherham as an 18-year-old. Straight away from his first training session you could see that he had something. He was busy, looked sharp, movement was good,” Weaver said.

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“We played him up front with Dominic Knowles and he did well. He’s developed into a really good Football League player, as I expected he would do.

“He’ll pose a real threat on Saturday, him and Madine. That’s probably the best strike partnership in the division above.

“It’ll be a real challenge for our players at the back, but the kind which they should be relishing.”

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Yates himself is looking forward to returning to North Yorkshire.

"It kick-started my professional career, so I really enjoyed it there and it will be nice to go back," the 24-year-old said.

"We were fighting for promotion from the National League North at the time. It was my first sniff of men’s football and it was a big experience for me.

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"It woke me up a little bit as I took a few hits early doors, so I was a bit nervous. It made me what I am today, so I’m forever grateful for the experience.”

Victory for Town against the Tangerines would see them make history by reaching the competition's third round for the first time in their 106-year history.

Saturday's game kicks-off at the EnviroVent Stadium at 3pm.