(Picture: Harrogate Town/ @TownPix)
By Matt Badcock
LEADERS Harrogate Town face off against promotion rivals Salford City tonight.
Simon Weaver’s Town have started with a bang and currently top the National League North on goal difference ahead of Brackley.
They are the top scorers in the division with 23 goals after just eight games, but they were dealt a blow last week when nine-goal top scorer Simon Ainge picked up an injury that will likely see him sidelined for more than a month.
On Saturday they shared a 1-1 draw with Brackley, before facing another tough test in Salford – one of the division’s promotion favourites.
After losing on the opening day to Darlington, the Ammies have got into their rhythm with five wins and two draws, the latest of which a 1-1 stalemate with Curzon Ashton on Saturday, to move up to fourth. Win tonight and they will draw level on points with Harrogate.
Brackley, who won their first five games of the season, will look to extend their unbeaten record this evening, but they face a tricky opponent in Andy Morrell’s Tamworth, who are sixth going into the game.
Third-place Southport beat Darlington 2-0 at the weekend and they travel to Stockport County hoping to continue their solid start to life back at Step 2 following relegation from Non-League’s top flight last summer.
Darlo are aiming to bounce back at last season’s defeated play-off finalists Chorley. Matt Jansen’s side have made a slower start to the new campaign but will be high on confidence following a 2-0 win against York City.
The Minstermen are on the road to Spennymoor Town, who have begun the season well following their promotion from Step 3. Jason Ainsley’s side have continued the winning feeling with five victories and two draws from their opening eight matches.
Fellow north-east side Blyth Spartans, who won the EVO-STIK Premier title last season, have been one of the other so far this season. Eight games in and they’ve won four and lost four.
A 3-2 win at AFC Telford three days ago moved them into eight-place, and this evening boss Alun Armstrong will take his team to FC United of Manchester.
Only Leamington and North Ferriby United sit below Karl Marginson’s men at this early stage.
Leamington play Alfreton Town, while North Ferriby are on their travels to Adam Murray’s Boston United. Nuneaton Town welcome AFC Telford, while Gainsborough Trinity host Bradford Park Avenue.
Kidderminster, who finished last season as runners-up, have had a mixed start – they take on Curzon Ashton at home.
