Check out everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's game with our full and in-depth preview of the action at The EnviroVent Stadium.
Harrogate Town v Barrow
Saturday 21st August 2021, 3pm
The EnviroVent Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
Harrogate Town will finally get back out on the pitch this weekend after a COVID-19 outbreak within their camp meant an enforced break of two weeks and the postponement of three fixtures.
Simon Weaver’s men had got off to a positive start on the opening day of the new campaign when they overcame Rochdale 3-2 on home soil – but their bad luck off the pitch means they haven’t played since.
Five players tested positive for the virus and five others had to self-isolate during a frustrating period for Town but thankfully the situation is now back under control, and they returned to group training earlier this week.
After finishing their first season in the EFL in a respectable 17th position, ambitious Harrogate will be hoping they can have a say in the top half of the League Two table during 2021/22.
One To Watch
Luke Armstrong was a promotion here on loan at Hartlepool United last season before opting to make a permanent move to Harrogate Town from Salford City during the summer.
The prolific front man helped himself to 15 goals in 32 appearances as Pools regained their place in the Football League and now he’s ready to show he can cut it at the higher level.
Armstrong – son of former Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town striker, Alun – enjoyed a dream start to life in a Harrogate shirt when he scored inside five minutes of the opening day win over Rochdale.
Head To Head
The Bluebirds will be looking for a little revenge this weekend after Harrogate Town completed the League Two double over them last season with a couple of 1-0 wins.
Indeed, Town have had it their own way in the majority of meetings between the clubs since Barrow’s 6-2 FA Trophy triumph in December 2016.
Barrow’s last league win over the North Yorkshire outfit came during the opening month of the 2013/14 season when Sam Sheridan’s goal gave us a Bank Holiday Monday 1-0 victory.
Referee
Trevor Kettle will be on the whistle at Harrogate Town this weekend as he oversees Barrow’s League Two visit to The EnviroVent Stadium.
The experienced official is now in to his 19th season on the EFL list of referees and he’s taken charge of three games so far during the 2021/22 campaign.
Kettle’s last appointment came in League One in midweek when he saw Portsmouth overcome Shrewsbury Town 1-0 at Fratton Park.
Tickets
Tickets for Saturday’s game will be available from the Harrogate Town Ticket Office prior to kick-off on Saturday.
Click here for all the information you need on tickets for the game.
Live Streaming
We are unable to live stream games on iFollow in the UK on Saturday afternoons, though Bluebirds fans outside of the country can still access live footage.
Click here now to visit the Harrogate Town Match Centre.
Live Commentary
We will be providing live online audio commentary from every game this season as we continue our link-up with BBC Radio Cumbria.
Fans will be able to listen to expert Bluebirds commentator Adam Johnson, who will be joined by Mark Boyd for full coverage of Saturday’s game at The EnviroVent Stadium.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.
Click here now to subscribe to iFollow.
Betting
Harrogate Town have been made slight favourites for three points at odds of 7/5, but Barrow aren’t far behind at 7/4 to take the win and a draw is priced up at 23/10 with our friends at Sky Bet.
Click here now to take a look at a full list of markets ahead of Saturday’s game.