A look to Saturday’s game in National League North…
By Matty Paddock - 07/10/2022
Posted 4 years ago
FARSLEY Celtic’s tough start to the season doesn’t mean they can be underestimated, boss Russ Penn has warned ahead of Saturday’s Aggborough clash.
Celtic are the guests in DY10 at the weekend and have managed just one win from their opening ten National League North fixtures.
As is often the case, though, this fails to tell the whole story – Penn has been keeping tabs on their performances and insists they’ve been far more competitive than their form might suggest.
Evidence of that comes in the fact that the one win they have notched came at one of the division’s toughest venues; they beat Brackley Town 3-0 back in August.
They’ve also taken points from Blyth Spartans and Spennymoor over the last few weeks, while also taking title-chasing AFC Fylde to an FA Cup replay.
Now they come to Aggborough looking to spoil a homecoming of sorts for Harriers, who play a home match after three successive away trips.
“I view it as another really tough game,” said Penn
“They probably haven’t started the season as they’d wish, but they have been in every single game, bar the first one when they lost 4-0 to Leamington.
“They’ve got some good players and a very experienced manager, who I know well.
“With the likes of Jimmy Spencer, Syers and Mulhern, they’ve got players who’ve been at the top end of this league and the leagues above.
“So [we’re taking no chances], we’ve got to be right on it on Saturday and very professional.”
As both Harriers and Farsley can attest, life is tough at both ends of National League North.
The gaffer believes that’s down to the number of teams in the relegation zone being increased to four this term, meaning there’s an even bigger scrap for points no matter what your objectives are.
He added: “There’s a lot more pressure on everybody in the league now – the top seven to get in the play-offs and you want to stay well clear of the bottom four.
“It opens the league right up and there’s something to play for, from 1 to 24.”
There is little change on the injury news front for Harriers following last weekend’s FA Cup tie. Nat Knight-Percival and Joe Foulkes remain out with ankle injuries, but scans to dig deeper into the detail on those will yield results imminently.
Jack Bearne is set to return to training after time at Liverpool to recover from a hip flexor injury, while Nathan Lowe’s return is hoped to be at days rather than weeks.
Tom Owen-Evans was given a two-to-three week return time last week and continues to progress, while Jack Tolley’s ankle injury keeps him out.
Kick-off at Aggborough on Saturday is at 3:00pm.
MATCH TICKETS
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
Getting your hands on Saturday’s match programme couldn’t be easier – purchase your copy online now for free delivery.
If you’re heading to Aggborough, you can buy one from the Club Shop, food kiosks or sellers around the ground.
Get a preview of what’s inside Saturday’s issue, and order now.
AGGBOROUGH IS CASHLESS
All food outlets at Aggborough, as well as all sales points including the Ticket Office and match programmes and Harriers Arms, are cashless for 2022-23.
Please keep this in mind when planning your day.
NO SMOKING
Aggborough Stadium is a strictly no smoking venue – this means smoking, including the use of vapes and e-cigarettes, is prohibited anywhere within the stadium.
SAFETY AT AGGBOROUGH
Harriers supports the campaign by The FA, the National League and others to clampdown on antisocial behaviour at football matches.
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