Last updated 19:50, Thursday, 25 September 2008

HARROGATE will be a more formidable opponent for tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at Borough Park than when the Yorkshire club visited earlier this season, warns absent skipper Graham Anthony.

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BANNED: Graham Anthony

Reds drew 0-0 with Harrogate in their first home game of the Blue Square North campaign.

But Harrogate have since powered ahead and now lie second in the table, one point behind Southport.

Anthony, who tomorrow starts a three-match suspension, said: “We were disappointed not to get all three points last time.

“We hit the bar, missed a penalty and had a couple of other good chances.

“But since then they’ve been on a good run and banged in a few goals. You always expect Harrogate to have a good side.

“They have a couple of big lads up front, but they do try to play a bit. We always have good games against them.”

Anthony is side-lined following his recent red card against Solihull for use of the elbow. He reckons the sending-off was a bit harsh.

He said: “We both went up for the ball and I caught him. It was just a challenge, but the referee has seen something else.”

Anthony reckons Reds may need another midfielder and a striker this term but declared: “It’s not up to me, and if the lads keep knocking the goals in there will be no complaints.”

He recalled Reds’ run to the first round proper in last season’s FA Cup, where they met Bury.

“If we could get another league club it would be a great day out for everyone. When we equalised last year the atmosphere was brilliant,” he said.

If Reds win tomorrow they’ll receive a very welcome £4,500 but chairman Humphrey Dobie insists they are not dependent on a cup run to finance the team.

Dobie revealed that the club would always live within its means as long as he was in charge.

He said: “We’d like a few more through the gate, like everyone else, But we have no debt.

“We regard ourselves as stewards for the next generation who will run the club. We haven’t borrowed anything since paying off the debts of the previous regime.

“We haven’t even sought facilities for an overdraft and we are not going to while I’m chairman.

“I thought we at least matched Harrogate last time and could have won. We missed a penalty.”

Fans will be able to watch match highlights via the internet through ITV Local. The game is one of nine in the second qualifying round that cameras will focus on.

l See page one for the latest developments on the new sports stadium for Workington.