SIMON Weaver wants to get Harrogate buzzing again by taking City’s scalp for a FIFTH time.

The Sulphurites are currently suffering having gone seven games without a win in all competitions.

And they have not scored a goal in open play in their last 10-and-a-half hours of trying.

The Wetherby Road faithful have not seen their team net at home since the opening day when a 3-0 win over Swindon did not hint at the struggles that would follow.

Midfielder Matty Daly, whose loan spell from Huddersfield at City last season was cut short by injury, is currently their joint top-scorer on two.

Centre forward Luke Armstrong signed a new three-year deal in the summer but has managed just one solitary penalty so far.

But Harrogate have enjoyed a perfect record against the Bantams since making the step-up from non-league in 2020 - and long-term boss Weaver hopes another Yorkshire derby can lift his side out of their rut.

“It’s big for us at Harrogate because historically for Bradford, they’ve played against huge teams higher up the ladder than League Two,” he said.

“We’ve just come into the Football League in the last few years and to play against Bradford is a big game for us.

“Bradford will bring lots of fans and there’s lots of interest obviously from a Harrogate point of view as well. We expect a buoyant crowd.

“Bradford are doing well and it should be an eventful game. They are in a rich vein of form, we are searching a bit for ours but we’ve had a good week in training.

“We’ve had a few games when we’ve nearly got there but not quite. But we feel this side’s evolving and getting ready for a positive run.”

Harrogate are boosted by the recent return of Rory McArdle after a long-running hamstring issue. The former Bantams history maker played his first full game back in last week’s late defeat at Stevenage and drew praise from his manager.

“I think it’s testament to his efforts in training and his rehab after a long lay-off that he can come in at 35 and take it by storm like he did.”

Weaver is not dwelling too much on Harrogate’s past success against City in the build-up to tomorrow’s lunchtime clash. But he is confident his team will soon be on the up again.

“It’s all about the future, not talking about the recent past. We’ve got to be breaking new ceilings.

“I think it’s part of the settling-in process for lads to unfortunately go through some trials and tribulations and learn about each other.

“I think the professionalism of everyone has been spot on. The bond is getting stronger between the existing lads from last year and also the new ones.

“It takes time but we’re not far off it. Now, what a great occasion it would be to get a home win and get the town buzzing again.”