Harrogate Town have shot at quick return to winning ways

Harrogate go into the match on the back of their first defeat in seven, at the hands of Wrexham. It means the North Yorkshire side are five points off top spot in the race for promotion to the Football League.

Ahead of the game, Town manager Simon Weaver is confident that the recent defeat will not disrupt the rhythm of his side.

“It’s about how we respond,” he said. “The lads have carried on the good form in training. We assess the mindsets and sharpness of the lads and they’re looking really good. We’ve been on a great run and we were superb in the first half against Wrexham only for us to concede from a free-kick from 25 yards out.”

Town have faced the Shots on three occasions to date, coming out on top each time. From those results, Harrogate have put seven past Aldershot and conceded only one.

Aldershot’s most recent win came at the start of January, away to Wrexham.

The Hampshire outfit were two to the good until the 94th minute when Jonathan Hooper scored a consolation goal.

Weaver expects a tough match from fellow National League opponents.

He added: “Aldershot are a good footballing team; it’ll be a hard encounter, which we expect. We’ve just got to keep up our strong away form.”

When the two sides met earlier this season, Jack Emmett’s 90th-minute strike proved the difference, causing elation in the home end as Harrogate extended their unbeaten run to five games.

Meanwhile, FC Halifax Town boss, Pete Wild, says his team is in a good place but has called on them to remain grounded ahead of a huge home clash with Bromley tomorrow.

Town could open up an eight-point gap between themselves and the teams outside the play-offs if they win and other results go their way.

“It’s a big game, but they all are,” Wild said. “They’re 14 massive, huge games for the club.

“We’ve hit 50 goals by the end of January. I don’t think any fan can argue what the lads are doing for them. But it’s important now that we hit our two other goals, which is stay in the top 10 as long as possible – and can we break the top seven?”

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WITH games in hand, Pontefract Collieries can really push themselves right into the promotion picture if they can claim all three points at Clitheroe tomorrow in the BetVictor League North West Division.

Pontefract currently sit seven points behind leaders Ramsbottom United in fourth spot but with five games in hand.

Tadcaster Albion sit a further three points behind Pontefract in sixth place and could move back into the play-off places if they get the better of City of Liverpool at home.

Elsewhere in the North West Division, mid-table Brighouse Town host Widnes, third-from-bottom Ossett United entertain Marine and basement side Pickering Town play at Colne.

In the South East Division, seventh-placed Frickley Athletic have a tough assignment at home to leaders Leek Town.

The big game of the day in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division sees third-placed Liversedge travel to fourth-placed Yorkshire Amateur tomorrow.

Fifth-placed Hemsworth MW could close in on the pair if they see off bottom-side Athersley Recreation at home.

Elsewhere, Garforth Town host Maltby Main and Knaresborough Town make the trip to Bridlington Town.

In Division One, third-placed Selby Town could move within two points of leaders Winterton with victory at Hall Road Rangers while Nostell MW host Rossington Main.