Harrogate Town hope to spoil AFC Fylde party - Weaver

Town produced one of their best away performance of the season earlier in the campaign to beat money-bags Fylde 2-1 in February.

That win was one of only five on the road for Simon Weaver’s men this season, but form has been much stronger at the CNG Stadium.

Should Barrow slip up at Tamworth, Fylde would go on top of the league with only one match to play if they beat Town.

But Weaver said his mid-table side would go all guns blazing to have a final say in the title race.

He said: “If we can get back to back performance against Fylde, it shows there’s nothing to fear. Hopefully that away performance wasn’t just when they were off the boil and we were really hot.

“To beat them again would give everybody confidence.”

Weaver will consider a different strategy to the one employed at Fylde in February with left-back Louie Swain ruled out.

Striker Paul Clayton remains a doubt for the fixture.

The manager said giving the supporters more to cheer about would be their main motivating factor.

“We want to entertain the home crowd that have really backed us in recent weeks,” he said.

“The Kop has been amazing. The away support has been so good too.

“They had every right to have a go in the first half of the season, but they have stick true to their word and carried on supporting. It’s please to know they are all happier about the identity of the club.”

Another strong away support travelled south to Oxford on Saturday as Town held prosperous Oxford City to a 1-1 draw. James Walshaw ended his long baron spell with an 11th goal of the season to level matters, after Oxford went ahead through Tom Winters.

Weaver insisted Walshaw wasn’t just merely timing his performances right for a new contract, after the striker scored for the first time since November.

“At any level, or stage in the season, he just wants to score goals,” Weaver said.

“Players want to get contract offers, but I don’t think it’s a case of people just being motivated now because we are near the end of the season.”