Carlisle United v Harrogate Town - ‘Safe’ Harrogate’s focus now on Wembley date

That is not the case for manager Simon Weaver, who is preparing to take his team to Wembley for the second time in less than 12 months when the Sulphurites take on Concord Rangers in the FA Trophy Final on May 3. Harrogate travel to Carlisle today before Weaver’s squad will have one final chance to stake a claim for a Wembley spot at home to Cambridge United on Friday.

“In terms of experimentation, there will be very little of that,” said Weaver.

“There are two games to go before Wembley so some people might be given an opportunity.”

Harrogate defeated Carlisle when the sides met early in the campaign. It will actually be the fourth time the sides have kicked off a league fixture this season after the first two attempts of the reverse meeting fell foul of the weather and then a local power outage. Weaver added: “I think Carlisle have been a bit unlucky. They had a month off at the start of the year because of Covid and that hindered their chances because it upset their momentum.

“They are a forceful team. They will knock it long and look to pounce on second balls.

“If you don’t defend the cross and the deep ball then you are in trouble.”

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