Stevenage return to Sky Bet League Two action tomorrow with a trip to North Yorkshire to face Simon Weaver’s Harrogate Town…
Last weekend saw one of the biggest matches in the club’s history as Boro shocked the entirety of English football by knocking Premier League side Aston Villa out of the FA Cup at Villa Park.
Steve Evans’ side were 1-0 down with five minutes to go before Jamie Reid’s penalty and a late Dean Campbell strike completed a miraculous comeback. But now, the focus is solely on the league, with promotion being the ultimate goal.
Harrogate Town are currently enjoying their third ever campaign in the football league after promotion from the National League in 2020. The Sulphurites currently sit nineteenth in Sky Bet League Two and just four points clear of the drop zone. The North Yorkshire side have picked up just six wins from just twenty-four league matches, drawing five and losing thirteen.
Harrogate have failed to win in their last three matches, with their most recent game ending in a 3-1 defeat at home to Colchester. Their last victory came on Boxing Day as Luke Armstrong’s brace was boosted by a late own goal in a 3-2 win at home to Grimsby. Armstrong is Harrogate’s top scorer this season, netting nine goals in all competitions.
Simon Weaver took over as Harrogate boss in 2009, making him the current longest-serving manager in the EFL. Weaver was in charge for The Sulphurites’ two promotions from the National League North to the EFL in the space of three seasons.
Boro’s record against tomorrow’s opponents is rather impressive. The two sides have met on just five occasions, with Stevenage winning three and drawing two. Not only have Harrogate never defeated Stevenage, but they’ve also never scored against their Hertfordshire opponents.
Both times Harrogate have hosted Stevenage, the score has ended goalless. This season’s reverse fixture at The Lamex Stadium ended 1-0 to Steve Evans’ side as Dan Sweeney’s late header made the difference.
The EnviroVent Stadium has been home to Harrogate Town for just over century and has seen multiple renovations. The ground holds a capacity of 5,000 with 1,000 of it being seated.
The record league attendance is 3,000 when Harrogate defeated Brackley Town in the 2018 National League North Play-Off final.
Adam Herczeg has been appointed Match Referee for tomorrow’s fixture with Stephen Wade and Lee Freeman as Assistants, and Peter Gooch as Fourth Official. Herczeg has dished out fifty-three yellow cards and two reds in nineteen matches this campaign.
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