Harrogatevs.Cheltenham

The hosts sit five points above the relegation zone thanks to a victory in their last league outing, while their visitors have their sights set on cracking the top half.

Match preview

Harrogate Town return to League Two action on Friday aiming to further widen their lead over the relegation zone, having most recently competed in the FA Cup third round last time out.

The Sulphurites endured a tough first half to their fifth consecutive fourth-tier campaign, and a New Year's Day defeat to Salford City left them on just 22 points from 24 outings.

A trip to Barrow then followed, and Simon Weaver's side were able to end a seven-match winless streak by prevailing in a 2-0 triumph, as Jack Muldoon and Josh March netted second-half goals.

They most recently made the short trip to second-tier Leeds United for an FA Cup third-round tie on Saturday, and after a valiant effort at Elland Road, they eventually bowed out owing to a 1-0 defeat as Largie Ramazani's goal on the hour mark made the only difference.

Now with their focus fully on their League Two survival bid, Harrogate Town find themselves 21st, five points above the bottom two, and will be keen to extend that lead with a second straight fourth-tier win on Friday.

Their visitors, meanwhile, head to Yorkshire aiming to break into League Two's top half on Friday, having not been in fourth-tier action since New Year's Day.

That game saw the Robins visit Port Vale on the back of a six-match unbeaten streak and subsequent 5-3 defeat to Notts County, and they were able to leave with a share of the spoils as the game ended goalless at Vale Park.

After then seeing scheduled League One meetings with Walsall and AFC Wimbledon postponed earlier in January, Michael Flynn's side returned to action in an EFL Trophy tie at home to Colchester United on Tuesday and booked a quarter-final place with a 2-1 victory.

Tom Pett gave the Robins an early lead, and after Lyle Taylor levelled the game on the stroke of half time, George Miller netted the decisive goal in the 91st minute to seal the win in normal time.

Now sitting 13th on their return to fourth-tier action, with 10th-placed Chesterfield Town just three points better off, Cheltenham Town will bid to climb the table with a third away league win of the campaign.

Harrogate Town League Two form:

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L

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D

L

W

Harrogate Town form (all competitions):

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L

D

L

W

L

Cheltenham Town League Two form:

D

W

D

W

L

D

Cheltenham Town form (all competitions):

W

D

W

L

D

W

Team News

After partnering up in attack at Elland Road last weekend, Jack Muldoon and Josh March should continue to lead the Harrogate Town line on Friday, having both netted in their 2-0 victory over Barrow last time out in League Two.

January arrival Bryn Morris will continue in the midfield, while fellow new signings Bryant Bilongo and Eko Solomon will both hope to earn debuts for the Sulphurites.

Following the clean sheet in the win over Barrow and a strong display against Leeds United, Jasper Moon and Anthony O'Connor will again partner up at the heart of a back four.

Michael Flynn could field an unchanged Cheltenham Town starting XI from Tuesday's EFL Trophy victory, although George Miller could come in from the outset after scoring off the bench to move onto seven goals for the season.

Following the departure of top scorer Joel Colwill, who returned to parent club Cardiff City earlier in January, Tom Pett will again line up behind a lone striker, while Jordan Thomas and Ethon Archer should continue on the wings.

Liam Kinsella and Luke Young form an established midfield pairing, while Scot Bennett and Sam Stubbs will again feature in the middle of the back four.

Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:

Belshaw; Sims, O'Connor, Moon, Burrell; Cornelius, Sutton, Morris, J Daly; Muldoon, March

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:

Day; Jude-Boyd, Bennett, Stubbs, Bradbury; Kinsella, Young; Thomas, Pett, Archer; Miller

We say: Harrogate Town 1-1 Cheltenham Town

Written by

Sam Varley

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