2018-19 FIXTURES ‘WEAVE MADE IT!’
Harrogate boss relishing Sutton curtain-raiser
HARROGATE Town’s dream of playing in the National League finally sunk in following the release of next season’s fixtures, says manager Simon Weaver.
“This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for,” the excited boss told The NLP after it was revealed his side will make their top-flight debut at home to Sutton United, who lost in the play-off semi-finals last term, on Saturday, August 4.
“They had that game in the FA Cup against Leeds too, who are local to us, and I remember watching it – now we’re coming up against them and it will be a great occasion for us.
“They were pushing for the league last season so we know how good they are and how well they have adapted to 3G. It is a day for the fans to celebrate being at the next level. Hopefully the players will all relish it.
“Having Sutton and Hartlepool are fantastic games to start with and it really does make you realise we’ve made that step up.
“Now the challenge is to get some points on the board against some big clubs and we wouldn’t swap it for anything.”
This season’s National League looks wide and the opening day fixtures have thrown up many tasty clashes. Early title favourites Salford City make their top-flight bow at home in front of the BT Sport cameras at 12.30pm when they take on Leyton Orient, another tipped for big things. Graham Alexander’s Ammies, backed by the Class of ’92, are now within touching distance of the Football League after rising up through the divisions. The club parted ways with duo Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley this summer following three promotions at the club and turned to the former Scunthorpe boss to lead them into the promised land.
Play-off finalists Boreham Wood get underway with a visit from Peter Taylor’s Dagenham & Redbridge, while newly relegated Chesterfield head to another play-off loser in Ebbsfleet.
Intriguing
Another intriguing opening-day fixture takes place at the EBB Stadium when John Still will take charge of Barnet for a third spell at Aldershot. Can Gary Waddock find a tune out of his Shots after a host of changes to his team that reached the play-offs?
Sam Ricketts faces a tough managerial debut when Wrexham make the long trip to Dover. Both sides finished
their seasons in disapopen pointment after missing out on the top seven and will be aiming for better this time.
AFC Fylde have made a big statement of intent this summer by smashing their record transfer fee to sign England C captain Ryan Croasdale as they bid to improve on their seventhplace finish. They’ll kick-off with a visit from last season’s FA Trophy finalists Bromley, while Eastleigh take on Solihull Moors.
Nothing says welcome to the National League like a round trip of almost 700 miles to Ian Evatt’s Barrow. That’s what lays ahead for National League South titlewinners Havant & Waterlooville on the opening day. Heading in the other direction are Gateshead, who go to Maidenhead. It’s a more straightforward start for South play-off winners Braintree, who begin with a home fixture against FC Halifax as a Liam Noble-inspired Hartlepool head to Maidstone. Two other BT Sports fixtures to look out for later in the month are Wrexham v Boreham Wood (Aug 11) and Maidenhead v Maidstone (Aug 25).