Harrogate Town v Scunthorpe United: Cup exit ruined Simon Weaver’s Sunday lunch - but he will not chew on it

Town went out 4-0 to League One Blackpool but Weaver had no major beef, telling his injury-hit squad to continue what they have been doing at home to Scunthorpe United this evening.

“It’s important not to dwell on it even though you’re at home having your Sunday lunch and you’re wounded a little bit after any defeat, especially a 4-0, but I think we should just allow ourselves to go, ‘That’s gone’ and not chew ourselves up too much because they’re (from) a higher-placed league and for half the game we were really in contention,” he said. “We can be proud of that 45 minutes.

“We have to learn quick lessons from the second 45. We can learn to be a bit more streetwise. If we improve what we do, we’ll be a force.”

Kevin Lokko’s late red card exacerbates the absence of fellow defenders Will Smith, Dan Jones and potentially Ryan Fallowfield.

“I’ve got faith in the lads we will put out,” said Weaver. “They’re a great unit as we’ve seen several times this season.

“We haven’t had an injury crisis for years and it happens.”

Town plan to treat Saturday’s League Two game at home to Forest Green Rovers as a “test event” for the wider return of spectators if they are given permission to open the gates for the first time since March.

Only the new main stand and car park terrace will open, and only season ticket deposit purchasers who live in Tiers 1 and 2 can attend.

Last six games: Harrogate Town LWLDLW; Scunthorpe United LDWWLL

Referee: P Howard (London)

Last time: First meeting.

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