Selection dilemma for Harrogate Town boss Simon Weaver

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver says that he has a “genuine selection headache” ahead of Saturday’s National League trip to Ebbsfleet United.
Harrogate Town manager Simon WeaverHarrogate Town manager Simon Weaver
Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver

Having fielded the same starting XI in four consecutive matches over Christmas and New Year, he opted to make six changes for last weekend’s FA Trophy tie at Darlington.

And, after all of those players who he included against the Quakers impressed him during their 2-0 success, Weaver now has a number of tough decisions to make.

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“Obviously we’d won four on the bounce prior to the Trophy game, so I don’t need to mess around with the team too much, but all the lads who came in against Darlington performed ever so well,” he said.

“We needed to get some of the players 90 minutes under their belts so that they are ready to go if and when we need them. The challenge was thrown down to those lads who haven’t been starting and every single one of them rose to it.

“So I do have a genuine selection headache now and plenty of food for thought in terms of who I pick.”

With Town currently third in the table and just three points behind leaders Barrow having won five of their last six league outings, it would be fair to say that their manager’s headache probably falls into the ‘nice one to have’ category.

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Halifax Town, meanwhile, will be looking to close the gap on their play-off rivals when they take on Maidenhead United.

Pete Wild’s men are enjoying a four-match unbeaten run across all competitions and they’re currently sitting 10th in the National League table; just a couple of points off the play- off places.

A win this Saturday would certainly improve Town’s position in the standings however, getting all three points against Maidenhead could prove to be a lot easier said than done.

United have won three of their last four games against Halifax – including two victories down at The Shay.

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Wild has seen a recent improvement in home form with his side winning three from six however, only one of those wins came in the league.

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TADCASTER ALBION will be hoping to close down a six-point gap to the league leaders when they face a struggling Kendal Town side this weekend,

Workington maintained their place at the top of the BetVictor North West Division thanks to a comprehensive 3-0 win over Colne however, fourth-placed Tadcaster could pile on the pressure with a victory over second-to-bottom Kendal.

Also aiming to get in and amongst the promotion chase are Pontefract Collieries who take on Dunston UTS.

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Pontefract dropped out of the play-off places following a two-match winless run and what’s more, their upcoming opponents are in great form having won back-to-back games.

Brighouse Town are currently eight points off the play-offs and sit 10th in the table. The West Yorkshire outfit have a tough test this weekend as they host Ramsbottom United – a side that’s currently enjoying an 11-match unbeaten run in the league.

Following a recent defeat to the league’s basement team Pickering Town, Ossett United will be hoping to return to winning ways when they take on Widnes. A victory for Wayne Benn’s side could take them out of the relegation zone and above Saturday’s opponents.

Pickering, meanwhile, will be looking for just their fifth win of the season when they travel away to face Clitheroe. A win could see them move off the bottom of the table.