The 2020/21 National League play-off final will take place next weekend between Notts County and Harrogate Town after their respective victories today. Town won 1-0 against Boreham Wood thanks to a second half Muldoon goal.
The Magpies, relegated from the football league last season, are now just one step away from returning after their 2-0 win over Barnet - their goals were scored by Kristian Dennis and Callum Roberts.
Harrogate Town were promoted to non-league's top division for the first time in their history for the the 2018/19 season where they finished in sixth place to qualify for the play-offs where they were knocked out by AFC Fylde in the first round of games. This season they were in second place when football was put on hold in march with a record of 66 points from their 37 games played - just 4 points behind Barrow. Notts County were 3 points below them on 63 points from 38 games played.
Way back in August it was County who were 0-2 winners at Harrogate Town thanks to goals form Kristian Dennis and Enzo Boldewijn - Will Smith was sent off for Harrogate.
Here we look at the two club's squads in a preview of the big game.
NOTTS COUNTY
(Squad v Barnet)
(Squad v Barnet)
Sam Slocombe - Goalkeeper who has just turned 32 - Joined the club after spending part of the 2017/18 season with Lincoln City where he didn't play any games. He was on loan from Bristol City. Has 197 football league appearances for Scunthorpe United, Oxford United, Blackpool and Bristol Rovers.
Joel Bagan - 18 year old defender currently on loan from Cardiff City. Born in Hampshire but has represented Scotland at youth level. The Barne victory was only his second start in senior football. He was a substitute in Cardiff City's FA Cup game against Reading earlier in the season.
Richard Brindley - 27 year old right back who spent the 17/18 season with Bromley. He has been a first team regular with County this season. 124 football league appearances for Rotherham United, Chesterfield, Scunthorpe United, Oxford United, Colchester United and Barnet.
Kristain Dennis - Joined Notts County for a reported fee of £150,000 in 2018 from Chesterfield after they were relegated from the football league. He played 24 games in the 18/19 season before joining Grimsby Town on loan. This season the 30 year old forward has played 31 games and scored 13 goals for County. 119 football league appearances.
Michael Doyle - Hugely experienced club captain who joined the club in January 2019. The 38 year old midfielder was born in the Republic of Ireland whom he has one International cap for. 627 football league appearances including 281 in the Championship.
Alex Lacey - Joined County in November 2019. A central defender who came through the academy ranks of Luton Town. He has 105 football league appearances. In 2016/17 he played in 40 League Two games for Yeovil Town and was awarded the supporter's club player of the season award.
Jim O'Brien - 32 year old central midfielder who came through the ranks at Celtic where he made just one appearances before moving to Motherwell. He is very experienced having 106 Scottish Premier League, 123 Championship and 97 League One games to his name. Has also played for Ross County, Barnsley, Coventry City, Shrewsbury Town and Scunthorpe United.
Callum Roberts - 23 year old winger who hails from South Shields. He came through Newcastle United's academy but never made a first team appearance for the Premier League side. He played on loan for Kilmarnock, Colchester United and Gateshead before spending part of the 19/20 campaign in the National League North with Bltyh Spartans. Joined County in January 2020 where he has since scored 4 times in 9 games.
Mitchell Rose - Joined County in January 2019. Described as a box-to-box hard working tough tackling midfielder. Came through the youth ranks of Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United - Has also played for Stamford, Crawley Town, Ilketon, Mansfield Town, Newport County and Grimsby Town.
Ben Turner - Another vastly experienced player who 152 Championship games and 31 Premier League games to his name. Started his career with Coventry City before moving to Cardiff City where he played in the top division. He then joined Burton Albion and Mansfield Town. He has also played for Peterborough United and Oldham Athletic on loan.
Kyle Wootton - Signed in the summer of 2019 but signed a 30 month contract in January. He was with Scunthorpe United from 2014 to 2020 and has also played for a number of clubs on loan. 90 football league appearances so far in his career.
Enzio Boldewijn - Joined Notts County for an undisclosed six figure fee in the summer of 2018. The 27 year old midfielder/winger was born in The Netherlands where he played for Utrecht, Den Bosch and Almere City before moving to Crawley Town in 2016. Has played in over 100 football league games.
Tom Crawford - 21 year old midfielder who joined the club in 2018 for Chester FC. He spent some of the 2018/19 season on loan at AFC Fylde. 8 appearances this season for County.
Dion Kelly Evans - Made 28 football league appearances for Coventry City betweeen 2015 and 2018 before playing one season for Kettering Town. Signed for Notts County last summer and has since played 18 games for the club.
Joe McDonnell - 26 year old goalkeeper singed as back up to Sam Slocombe in February 2020. He started his career with Basingstoke Town with a loan spell at Hendon before joining AFC Wimbledon in 2014. Made 23 League One and Two apperances for The Dons between 2014 to 2020. Whilst with AFC he spent time on loan with Harrow Borough and Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Connell Rawlinson - Spent the 18/19 season with Port Vale where he played in 28 League Two games and joined Notts County last summer. Born in Wrexham he made a small number of appearances with Chester City before signing for The New Saints in 2018 where he spent eight successful years.
Wes Thomas - 33 year old hugely experienced forward who was born in Barking and made his name in non-league football with Waltham Forest, Thurrock and Fisher Athletic before moving into the football league with Dagenham & Redbridge. Has since played for Chelthenham Town, Crawley Town, AFC Bournemouth, Rotherham United, Birmingham City, Oxford United and Grimsby Town as well as loan spells with a host of other clubs.
HARROGATE TOWN
(Squad v Boreham Wood)
James Belshaw - Goalkeeper who came through the ranks at Walsall before spending time with Chicago Fire in the USA. Played for Nuneaton and Tamworth before moving to Harrogate Town in 2018 where he has been first choice in the number one shirt ever since.
Warren Burrell - 30 year old defender who graduated from Mansfield Town's academy but only ever made one appearance for the club. He joined Harrogate Town in 2009 before spells with Sheffield, Leek Town and Buxton whom he rejoined the club from in 2015.
Jack Diamond - 20 year old forward who is currently on loan from League One side Sunderland. Played in the black cat's Premier League 2 side from 2017 to 2019 as well as having a spell on loan with Spennymoor.
Josh Falkingham - 29 year old midfielder who was grew up in Rothwell around 30 miles from Harrogate. Spent time with Leeds United academy before moving North of the border with St Johnstone, Arbroath and Dunfermline Athletic before a spell with Darlington in the National League North division. Joined Harrogate in 2017 and has since played over 100 games for the club.
Ryan Fallowfield - Initally joined on loan from North Ferriby Untied in 2015 with was eventually made permenant. He rejoined United for a season but returned to Town in 2017.
Connor Hall - A 6 feet 4 inch commanding central defender who signed after s stand out season for Brackley Town in the National League North division in 2018/19. He spent time with Bury Town before two seasons with Biggleswade Town from whom he joined Harrogate Town. The 27 year old has had an impressive first season in non league's top division.
LLoyd Kerry - 31 year old midfielder who joined from Tamworth in 2014. Came through the ranks at Sheffield United but didn't make the first team. He then played for Torquay United and Chesterfield in the football league making 53 appearances. He then represented Alfreton Town, Kidderminster Harriers and Hinckley United before joining Tamworth.
Aaron Martin - 28 year old who only joined the club in March from National North side Guiseley whom he joined from Brighouse Town over the summer of 2019 where he had scored 30 goals in the 2017/18 season and been named the club's player of the season. Spent his youth career with both Sheffield United and Barnsley - Has also played for Staveley Miner's Welfare, Worksop Parramore, Goole and Sheffield FC.
Jon Stead - The most recognisable name in the Harrogate squad especially for Notts County fans as he played over 100 games for them between 2015 to 2019. Played for Bradford City in their famous FA Cup victory at Chelsea in 2015 - He scored once and set up two goals in that game. The 37 year old counts Huddersfield Town, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Derby County, Sheffield Untied, Ispwich Town, Coventry City, Bristol City and Oldham Athletic alongside Bradford City and Notts County as his former clubs. Made 86 Premier League appearances when he was with Blackburn and Sunderland and also has 494 football league games to his name. Will the player who scored 10 goals and made 41 appearances in Notts County's relegation season come back to haunt them in their quest to return to the football league?
Jack Muldoon - Joined from AFC Fylde in 2018 - The 31 year old forward has played for a host of non-league sides as well as Rochdale in the football league in 2014/15 where he made just 3 appearances. Played for Lincoln City between 2015 to 2107.
Will Smith - 21 year old defender who was born in Leeds and came through the academy ranks of Barnsley. He was offered a contract extenstion with The Tykes at the end of the 2018/19 season but chose to join Harrogate Town. Spent some of the 18/19 season on loan to National League side Darlington.
Mark Beck - Born in Sunderland but did make 3 appearances for Scotland u19s in 2013. Played in the football league for Carlise United and Yeovil Town as well as short spell on loan North of the border with Falkirk before joining Darlington in 2016. Signed for Harrogate Town in 2017.
George Thomson - Signed from FC United of Manchester in 2017 and now has over 100 appearances for the club. Previously played for Chester, Kings Lynn and Histon.
Jack Emmett - 'He's one of our own' - A midfielder who came through the ranks at Harrogate Town and joined the first team squad in August 2014. Named joint player's player of the season in season 17/18.
Joe Cracknell - Goalkeeper who joined from Bradford City in 2017. Came through the ranks at Hull City and spent some time on loan at Scarborough Athletic whilst with The Tigers.
Kian Harratt - 18 year old forward currently on loan from Championship side Huddersfield Town where he had made one substittute appearance against Leeds United earlier in the season.
Joe Leesley - Joined the club in 2016 from Alfreton Town and has made over 150 appearances since. Has played for Stockport County and Stevenage FC on loan this season. He played 8 times in League Two for the Hertfordshire side.
It's set up to be a interesting game at Wembley Stadium on Sunday as Neal Ardley's Notts County side, who are packed with with football league experience and mostly signed last summer following their relegation from League Two, take on Simon Weaver's Harrogate Town side - many of the North Yorkshire club's squad have been with the club for many seasons as Weaver has built a side capable of promotion from non-league's top division.
Weaver was appointed as player-manager back in May 2009 and soon after his father Irving Weaver became chairman and after nearly a decade of National League North membership they have moved up to non-league's top table in 2018/19 to make a challenge for a football league place. No Harrogate fan of the 1990's would of thought this would be possible when they played in the Northern Premier League Division One regularly finishing in the bottom half of the table.
One game where the result would mean either a return to the football league for Notts County who were one of the twelve founding members in 1888 or the culmination of a dream (and the start of another one!) for everyone involved with Harrogate Town!
Kick off on Sunday is at 3pm.
Tom Crawford - 21 year old midfielder who joined the club in 2018 for Chester FC. He spent some of the 2018/19 season on loan at AFC Fylde. 8 appearances this season for County.
Dion Kelly Evans - Made 28 football league appearances for Coventry City betweeen 2015 and 2018 before playing one season for Kettering Town. Signed for Notts County last summer and has since played 18 games for the club.
Joe McDonnell - 26 year old goalkeeper singed as back up to Sam Slocombe in February 2020. He started his career with Basingstoke Town with a loan spell at Hendon before joining AFC Wimbledon in 2014. Made 23 League One and Two apperances for The Dons between 2014 to 2020. Whilst with AFC he spent time on loan with Harrow Borough and Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Connell Rawlinson - Spent the 18/19 season with Port Vale where he played in 28 League Two games and joined Notts County last summer. Born in Wrexham he made a small number of appearances with Chester City before signing for The New Saints in 2018 where he spent eight successful years.
Wes Thomas - 33 year old hugely experienced forward who was born in Barking and made his name in non-league football with Waltham Forest, Thurrock and Fisher Athletic before moving into the football league with Dagenham & Redbridge. Has since played for Chelthenham Town, Crawley Town, AFC Bournemouth, Rotherham United, Birmingham City, Oxford United and Grimsby Town as well as loan spells with a host of other clubs.
HARROGATE TOWN
(Squad v Boreham Wood)
James Belshaw - Goalkeeper who came through the ranks at Walsall before spending time with Chicago Fire in the USA. Played for Nuneaton and Tamworth before moving to Harrogate Town in 2018 where he has been first choice in the number one shirt ever since.
Warren Burrell - 30 year old defender who graduated from Mansfield Town's academy but only ever made one appearance for the club. He joined Harrogate Town in 2009 before spells with Sheffield, Leek Town and Buxton whom he rejoined the club from in 2015.
Jack Diamond - 20 year old forward who is currently on loan from League One side Sunderland. Played in the black cat's Premier League 2 side from 2017 to 2019 as well as having a spell on loan with Spennymoor.
Josh Falkingham - 29 year old midfielder who was grew up in Rothwell around 30 miles from Harrogate. Spent time with Leeds United academy before moving North of the border with St Johnstone, Arbroath and Dunfermline Athletic before a spell with Darlington in the National League North division. Joined Harrogate in 2017 and has since played over 100 games for the club.
Ryan Fallowfield - Initally joined on loan from North Ferriby Untied in 2015 with was eventually made permenant. He rejoined United for a season but returned to Town in 2017.
Connor Hall - A 6 feet 4 inch commanding central defender who signed after s stand out season for Brackley Town in the National League North division in 2018/19. He spent time with Bury Town before two seasons with Biggleswade Town from whom he joined Harrogate Town. The 27 year old has had an impressive first season in non league's top division.
LLoyd Kerry - 31 year old midfielder who joined from Tamworth in 2014. Came through the ranks at Sheffield United but didn't make the first team. He then played for Torquay United and Chesterfield in the football league making 53 appearances. He then represented Alfreton Town, Kidderminster Harriers and Hinckley United before joining Tamworth.
Aaron Martin - 28 year old who only joined the club in March from National North side Guiseley whom he joined from Brighouse Town over the summer of 2019 where he had scored 30 goals in the 2017/18 season and been named the club's player of the season. Spent his youth career with both Sheffield United and Barnsley - Has also played for Staveley Miner's Welfare, Worksop Parramore, Goole and Sheffield FC.
Jon Stead - The most recognisable name in the Harrogate squad especially for Notts County fans as he played over 100 games for them between 2015 to 2019. Played for Bradford City in their famous FA Cup victory at Chelsea in 2015 - He scored once and set up two goals in that game. The 37 year old counts Huddersfield Town, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Derby County, Sheffield Untied, Ispwich Town, Coventry City, Bristol City and Oldham Athletic alongside Bradford City and Notts County as his former clubs. Made 86 Premier League appearances when he was with Blackburn and Sunderland and also has 494 football league games to his name. Will the player who scored 10 goals and made 41 appearances in Notts County's relegation season come back to haunt them in their quest to return to the football league?
Jack Muldoon - Joined from AFC Fylde in 2018 - The 31 year old forward has played for a host of non-league sides as well as Rochdale in the football league in 2014/15 where he made just 3 appearances. Played for Lincoln City between 2015 to 2107.
Will Smith - 21 year old defender who was born in Leeds and came through the academy ranks of Barnsley. He was offered a contract extenstion with The Tykes at the end of the 2018/19 season but chose to join Harrogate Town. Spent some of the 18/19 season on loan to National League side Darlington.
Mark Beck - Born in Sunderland but did make 3 appearances for Scotland u19s in 2013. Played in the football league for Carlise United and Yeovil Town as well as short spell on loan North of the border with Falkirk before joining Darlington in 2016. Signed for Harrogate Town in 2017.
George Thomson - Signed from FC United of Manchester in 2017 and now has over 100 appearances for the club. Previously played for Chester, Kings Lynn and Histon.
Jack Emmett - 'He's one of our own' - A midfielder who came through the ranks at Harrogate Town and joined the first team squad in August 2014. Named joint player's player of the season in season 17/18.
Joe Cracknell - Goalkeeper who joined from Bradford City in 2017. Came through the ranks at Hull City and spent some time on loan at Scarborough Athletic whilst with The Tigers.
Kian Harratt - 18 year old forward currently on loan from Championship side Huddersfield Town where he had made one substittute appearance against Leeds United earlier in the season.
Joe Leesley - Joined the club in 2016 from Alfreton Town and has made over 150 appearances since. Has played for Stockport County and Stevenage FC on loan this season. He played 8 times in League Two for the Hertfordshire side.
It's set up to be a interesting game at Wembley Stadium on Sunday as Neal Ardley's Notts County side, who are packed with with football league experience and mostly signed last summer following their relegation from League Two, take on Simon Weaver's Harrogate Town side - many of the North Yorkshire club's squad have been with the club for many seasons as Weaver has built a side capable of promotion from non-league's top division.
Weaver was appointed as player-manager back in May 2009 and soon after his father Irving Weaver became chairman and after nearly a decade of National League North membership they have moved up to non-league's top table in 2018/19 to make a challenge for a football league place. No Harrogate fan of the 1990's would of thought this would be possible when they played in the Northern Premier League Division One regularly finishing in the bottom half of the table.
One game where the result would mean either a return to the football league for Notts County who were one of the twelve founding members in 1888 or the culmination of a dream (and the start of another one!) for everyone involved with Harrogate Town!
Kick off on Sunday is at 3pm.
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