A look at Saturday’s opening home league fixture against Leamington at Aggborough…
By Matty Paddock - 12/08/2022
Posted 4 years ago
HARRIERS welcome Leamington to Aggborough on Saturday for the first home game of the new National League North season.
Both teams will be looking to follow-up on excellent results and clean sheets on the opening day.
While Harriers were winning 1-0 at Blyth Spartans, Paul Holleran’s men laid down a marker for their own season with a 4-0 thumping of Farsley Celtic.
That stets things up nicely for the weekend, with boss Russ Penn ready to duel it out with a much-respected non-league gaffer.
Looking toward the game, Penn told our YouTube channel: “Whoever comes here is always up for it, you only have to look at the facilities and the pitch and your eyes light up.
“We’re under no illusions, it’s a really tough game and we respect Paul really well.
“They started the league like a house on fire last week, so we’ve really got to be at it.
“We know what we need to do on Saturday to win the game and that’s how we’ll approach it.”
Leamington are comfortably removed from being perennial strugglers in National League North and now regularly ruffle feathers higher up in the table.
Penn added: ““They’re right at it and Paul has recruited well throughout his tenure there.
“They are never to be underestimated at all. In the COVID year they were right in the mix of the play-offs and last year were probably disappointed.
“They’re a tough team to play against. We know what they’ve got, their attributes and their strengths – they’re still hard to play against, no matter how you set up and we’ve got to be prepared for that.
“With the ball we’ve got to be energetic and lively. We’ve got some matchwinners in our team, so we’ve got a lot of strengths ourselves.”
Penn won’t have the injured Alex Penny or Amari Morgan-Smith back for Saturday, but has been handed a boost with the news that the latter is now back in full training.
Ethan Freemantle is available to Harriers after overcoming a knock picked up at Blyth last weekend.
Kick-off at Aggborough on Saturday is at 3:00pm.
Ahead of our first home league game of the new season we’d again like to remind supporters of some key information:
MATCH TICKETS
Ahead of the new season, home and away fans are reminded that the quickest and easiest way to purchase match tickets is to do so online via our ticketing platform.
Can’t purchase online? You can call our Ticket Office on 01562 823 931 who will assist.
Fans wishing to make a purchase in person can do so up to 15 minutes after kick-off on Saturday by visiting the Aggborough Ticket Office. There is an additional £3 added to admission prices (excluding Juniors) for tickets bought in this way, so please make purchases online where you can, which you can also do at any time until just after kick off.
MATCH DAY PROGRAMMES
Get a full preview of our new-look, extended version of The Harrier for 2022-23.
You can also purchase your copy online now for free delivery.
AGGBOROUGH IS CASHLESS
all food outlets at Aggborough, as well as all sales points including the Ticket Office and match programmes and Harriers Arms, will be cashless for 2022-23.
Much of the stadium was already cashless during last season and we look forward to expanding this further to help improve the overall enjoyment and efficiency of fans’ experience at Aggborough.
PREPARE FOR YOUR VISIT
We look forward to welcoming our fans back to Aggborough this weekend, but we’d urge all those attending to plan accordingly for Saturday’s warm conditions – as they would for any extreme weather.
While the Club is doing what it can to make additional arrangements for supporter safety in this regard, we’d remind fans to, where they can, make good use of sunscreen products, a hat and additional hydration (see-through bottles only). Bags will be routinely checked at turnstiles as normal and while a sensible approach will be taken, any prohibited items may still be confiscated.
The two teams will take water breaks during the match.
If you feel unwell at any stage during your visit, please contact your nearest steward.
SAFETY AT AGGBOROUGH
The club made a statement earlier this week to remind supporters of their responsibilities on match days in respect of behaviour and conduct.
Harriers also supports the campaign by The FA, the National League and others to clampdown on antisocial behaviour at football matches.
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