Shropshire Star

AFC Telford boss Rob Edwards conscious of Harrogate Town's frontline

Boss Rob Edwards insists AFC Telford are well aware of Harrogate Town’s scoring prowess, adding: “We know their threats.”

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Rob Edwards

The Bucks are looking to claim their first win at the New Bucks Head this season but Harrogate top the National League North goal chart.

They have notched 24 times in nine games and have this year’s most prolific striker in the top six divisions, Simon Ainge.

He has struck on 31 occasions in 2017, which is quite remarkable considering the 29-year-old played as a defender until last campaign.

Skipper Shane Sutton and the rest of the Telford backline should be in for a tough test, and Edwards said: “It is not just Shane, it is all of them – we defend as a team and attack as a team.

“They score a lot of goals, Harrogate – we know their threats. But we can score goals as well, and we are proving that now.

“It is about those fine details now, making sure whatever we are doing away from home, that we do it at home as well.”

The Bucks have managed four wins – all away – and five losses so far this term.

The visitors have won six, drawn two and lost one – and are unbeaten on their travels.

Edwards has called on his side to work hard and send the Telford fans home with smiles on their faces.

“If they keep working hard, that is all me and the fans can ask of them – then the quality comes out,” he said.

“In the final moments (of the 2-0 win at Nuneaton Town) on Tuesday, we were keeping the ball up the pitch with some really good football.

“That is what we want, because fans will remember that.

“We always want to send the fans home happy.”

He added: “At the moment, I am delighted with the players – every single one of them.”

The Bucks may be without Jack Rea (ankle), Matthew Barnes-Homer (hamstring) and Aaron Simpson (hamstring).

Jordan Lussey should be back after an illness.