WAIT IS OVER AS NOTTS GO PLOTTING REVENGE
NOTTS COUNTY and Harrogate Town will play their FA Trophy semi-final on Thursday, September 17 after Harrogate progressed in the League Cup.
County had to wait for the outcome of Town’s Carabao Cup clash with Tranmere Rovers yesterday, which they won on penalties.
The semi-final tie – a re-run from last season’s National League play-off final at Wembley – from last season’s halted competition will be held at the Magpies’ Meadow Lane behind closed doors with the winner facing Concord Rangers under the famous arch on Sunday September 27.
Non-League Finals Day has been chosen as a Government pilot event for the return of crowds to stadiums.
Harrogate’s promotion to the EFL has caused a logistical headache among FA Trophy organisers, looking to complete last season’s competition.
Simon Weaver’s side beat County 3-1 at Wembley last month to seal their place in League Two for the first time.
County boss Neal Ardley, however, has a potential injury crisis ahead of the game.
The Magpies boss has major problems in the heart of his defence with key centre-back Ben Turner ruled out with injury, while Alex Lacey is also unlikely to be fit.
It leaves Connell Rawlinson as the only available central defender available with the option of selecting left-back Damien McCrory as a make-shift centre-half also out of the equation as he is recovering from a knee operation.
“Alex has a niggle and has not been fit really for the last two weeks and Ben Turner is the same,” Ardley told the Nottingham Post.
“So at centre-half, we’ve only got Connell Rawlinson fit and Damien is still recovering from his knee injury.
“We are very light at the back. Ben has no chance of the semi and Alex is very, very doubtful.”