Match Preview :- Harrogate Town - Tuesday August 16th, 2011 (19:45:00)

The first league game of the season at Bower Fold will see Harrogate Town roll into town (kick off 7:45pm). Harrogate have already kicked their season off with a fine win over the bookies favourite for the title, Altrincham, beating them 3-2 and now sit sixth.

It was six points for Harrogate last season, with Harrogate winning 1-0 at Bower Fold with a seventieth minute penalty being their only shot on target, before beating Celtic again at Wetherby Road, 2-0. Celtic's last win over Harrogate was the season before when we beat them 3-0 (following from a 4-0 win away from home). Harrogate have a good record over Celtic, having beaten us five times at Bower Fold in the last ten visits, with Celtic winning the other five, including a 3-2 win over the Yorkshire outfit in the FA Trophy back in 2004.

Harrogate have been busy in the transfer market over the summer, and have brought in ex-Celtic winger Lee Elam, along with Laurie Wilson from Alfreton Town, whilst up front they may have let Lee Ellington go, but have replaced him with one of the league's top scorers last season, Paul Brayson, as well as Jonny Allan, who fired Northwich Victoria into the Conference National. Bolstering their squad is Hartlepool loan signing, Callum Hassan.

In Harrogate's impressive 3-2 win over Altrincham with a stoppage time penalty (their second of the game) on the opening day, Harrogate lined up as:
1. Mark Cook
2. Matt Bloomer
3. Craig Radcliffe
4. Ian Ross
5. Adam Nowakowski
6. Jake Picton
7. Laurie Wilson
8. Michael Tait
9. Paul Brayson
10. Callum Hassan
11. Stephen Turnbull

If Harrogate's opening day win was impressive, Celtic's was more so. After losing captain and central defender Rhys Meynell in the opening ten minutes, Celtic went on to take the lead through Phil Marsh just before half time, and keep the lead until right near the end when a rare Nuneaton attack brought them level, only for Connor Jennings to be up-ended in the box, and let Celtic take the three points from the spot.


Connor Jennings is brought down by Neil Connett

In that match, Celtic lined up as:
1. Jan Budtz
2. Joel Bembo-Lita
3. Andy McWilliams
4. Rhys Meynell
5. Kristian Platt
6. Jack Rea
7. Adam Kay
8. Greg Wilkinson
9. Phil Marsh
10. Lloyd Ellams
11. Craig Hobson

Harrogate will be another stern test for Celtic's youthful team against an array of non-league talent. Harrogate have already shown strength to see of Altrincham, and will be no push over.

There will be a live match centre for this game.

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