THE cricket season is just around the corner and Simon Weaver is wise to the notion of applying 'scoreboard pressure'.

While the term is more associated with the sound of leather and willow, it resonates now for Weaver's Harrogate Town side, who go into 'bat' first before their relegation rivals and can turn up the heat at the bottom of League Two with three points ahead of the 3pm kick-offs.

Victory over Notts County would see second-from-bottom Harrogate jump two places above Newport County and Crawley Town in what looks to be a four-way fight to avoid finishing in the bottom two places and dropping out of the EFL.

Elsewhere, rock-bottom Barrow host leaders Bromley, while Newport and Crawley entertain Shrewsbury and Gillingham respectively with the bottom four all at home.

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver and assistant Paul Thirlwell. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

placeholder image — Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver and assistant Paul Thirlwell. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

On taking advantage of playing first at lunch-time, Weaver said: "I think that's a carrot, really.

"To aim for the three points and if we achieve that, getting out of the bottom two will be a psychological lift for us all."

The game also has ramifications at the top of the table for Notts, who were beaten 3-0 at in-form Oldham Athletic in midweek in a game which saw midfielder Ollie Norburn dismissed. He is suspended for today’s game.

The Magpies - whose keeper James Belshaw returns to familiar territory - are two points behind the side currently occupying the third and final automatic promotion slot in Cambridge United.

James Belshaw. Picture courtesy of Harrogate Town AFC.

An away win would see them temporarily leapfrog the U's, who kick off at 3pm.

Given Harrogate's need for points, it makes for a key contest, with Weaver hoping that his side's previous previous penchant for doing well in front of the cameras against big fourth-tier clubs - they have beaten the likes of Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers at Wetherby Road in past campaigns - can come to the fore again.

Weaver added: "It's good to hear that the attendance figures are good.

"We always prefer it when the so-called bigger clubs do come to town - and it's not too far for their fans to travel - and we want all four sides of the ground full and it makes for a great atmosphere and two teams who are playing good football."

Chanse Headman and Jacob Slater are in contention for Saturday lunch-time's test against Notts, who have won 10 of their 16 league fixtures so far in 2026.

The game gets under way at 12.30pm.