Harrogate Town are set to face fellow League Two opposition, Accrington Stanley in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday 10th October.
With both sides sitting in the middle of the table in League Two and both winning their opening group stage game in the competition, it is set to be a close encounter under the lights at the Envirovent stadium.
Speaking about the fixture Harrogate’s first team manager, Simon Weaver said: “There will be a few changes to the lineup. For the lads who have played a lot of minutes recently, they will be given some respite.”
Despite the change in players, Weaver isn’t underestimating the importance of this competition: “We haven’t underplayed the importance of tomorrow because we need to do well in this competition, it brings in revenue and carries momentum and progression moving forward.”
Harrogate Town were playing non-league only four years ago, so a competition like this can massively boost their revenue by winning a game in the group stage, guaranteeing £10,000.
The importance of this competition runs the Harrogate and club captain, Josh Falkingham said: “The Papa John Trophy is a huge one,
“As an opportunity as a player to go up against some really tough sides and league one opposition is a huge opportunity and maybe win another bit of silverware.”
The final is held at Wembley and with the home side’s sights set on reaching the final it wouldn’t be their first trip to the home of football.
Harrogate reached the FA Trophy final in 2019 at Wembley while playing in the National league and it was Falkingham who got the winner on that historic day: “It’s not a thing that happens to everyone in football and I’ve been lucky to achieve some promotions and silverware and two of the times were at the national stadium, which was incredible.”
After a struggle at the start of the season Harrogate has now won their last 3 out of 4 games and are full of confidence ahead of the cup tie, Falkingham said: “I think we have to keep pushing and doing the hard work and hopefully coming off that we will be able to pick up some positive results.”
This will be the second meeting between the two sides this season with Accrington Stanley winning that game 2-1.
Weaver believes his side has grown since that clash in August and said: “We’re more aware of their strengths now and hopefully we can nullify them and you always need to bring energy against Accrington Stanley.”
