Match Preview :- Harrogate Town - Saturday August 19th, 2006 (15:00:00)
Celtic's next trip is Saturday when we travel into the heart of Yorkshire to visit Harrogate Town (kick off 3pm). One of the bookies favourites to lift the title, John Reed's former team have had a great start to this years campaign, and are one of four teams to have won both opening games, lifting them to fourth on goals scored.

Celtic's start has not been too shoddy either, with an excellent away win at Lancaster City, though Harrogate will be a completely different proposition to Lancaster, and the automated prediction algorithm is plumping for a 1-0 win for the home team.

Harrogate have won their previous two games 1-0, thus are yet to concede a goal in this year's campaign. Harrogate's two goals have come from Danny Holland and Roy Hunter. Harrogate's opponents thus far are not expected to be challenging for honours this season, being Worksop and Moor Green, but a win is a win and Harrogate's confidence will be high.

Harrogate lost the services of defender Chris Ellerker on the opening day for a short while, but his replacement, Leigh Wood, filled his shoes admirably against Worksop; Harrogate will be a tough team to break down and already look like one of the teams who will concede the fewest number of goals this season.

In their win against Worksop, Harrogate lined up as:
1. James Lindley
2. Jamie Price
3. Dave Merris
4. Leigh Wood
5. Chris Timons
6. Darren Dunning
7. Chris Bettney
8. Roy Hunter
9. Kirk Jackson
10. Danny Holland
11. Colin Hunter

Ben Smith and Lee Morris are both nearing returns for Celtic, which will increase the selection headaches for John Reed, whilst Paul Pettinger has completed his ban, and will probably return as custodian.

Against Lancaster, we lined up as:
1. Nick Buxton
2. Grant Black
3. Jamie Kay
4. Mark Haran
5. Barrie Keeling
6. Ashley Winn
7. Steve Brodie
8. Paul Sykes
9. Lee Ellington
10. Mark Hume
11. Scott Maxfield

This early in the season, form is a peculiar thing, and can swing quite rapidly. However, Harrogate will be one of the teams to beat this season, and a draw would be an excellent result at Wetherby Road for any team, not just Celtic. If we are to get anything out of this match, we will have to up our game from our last two outings.
Directions
Distance: 68
Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Head up the M60 towards Oldham.
At junction 18 join the M62 towards Leeds.
After 35 miles you will reach junction 29 (M1).
Join the M1 going north.
Stay on the M1 for 7 miles to the end where it joins the A1 going north.
Stay on the A1 for 5 miles to the junction with the A661 (Wetherby).
At the roundabout at the end of the slip road go straight across (exit 2 of 4) to stay on the A661.
After 400 yards there is a set of lights.
Turn left here to stay on the A661 (signposted Harrogate).
The road is called Market Place.
After approximately 6 miles there is a roundabout with the A658.
Go straight across (exit 2 of 4) to stay on the A661.
After a further 2 miles, the ground is on the right, just after a pedestrian crossing.
Parking is available on Lancaster Park Road just past the ground on the right.