National League round-up: Harrogate Town winger earns EFL move as Barrow boss makes forward admission

Harrogate Town have confirmed winger Reece Smith has completed a return to the EFL with Walsall just over a week before the Sulphurites kick off their National League season with a home game against Solihull Moors.

The 24-year-old joined Harrogate from Maidenhead United last summer and scored three goals and provided seven assists in 52 appearances in all competitions during what will now be his only season for the club. His performances were not enough to help Simon Weaver’s side preserve their League Two status - but the winger will now remain in the fourth tier of English football after Walsall agreed an undisclosed fee with Harrogate over the last week.

Smith has immediately set his sights on taking the step up into the EFL in his stride and described conversations with Walsall manager Lee Grant were ‘music to his ears’ after he set out his plans for the winger during his first season in League Two.

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He told the Saddlers club website: "It's a brilliant club and I obviously played here last year with Harrogate and the atmosphere was really good, the fans are brilliant and it was one of my favourite games to play last season because of that - it feels like a big step up and I'm buzzing to get going. "The conversations with the gaffer were music to my ears to be honest - he sees me playing off the left or in the number 10 position which I've played in before over the last few seasons and he's a good manager and person too so that was a big factor for me.”

Barrow boss makes forward admission

Barrow manager Adam Murray has admitted there has been no change in his stance over the future of forward Tom Barkhuizen ahead of next Saturday’s National League opener at Hartlepool United. The Bluebirds will kick off their attempts to make an immediate return to the EFL with a visit to Victoria Park - and it seems all but certain the former Preston North End and Derby County man will feature against Pools or throughout the new season.

He told BBC Radio Cumbria: “There’s no movement. I think first and foremost there has got be interest, and we’ve not had much of that as yet. And the second, Tom's got to want to go and play football, but what I can't question is his attitude when he's been in around the club. He's getting on with his job, he's been a professional, and look it’s not nice.

“I don't like it, I don't like the situation I'll be honest with you. I don't like having to be that honest with people at times, because I understand it's people's careers it's people's lives and I don't like it, but my job is to make sure I do what what's best for Barrow football club and this team, and this is a decision that I've made and I'll stand by. So, if that (a deal) comes it comes if it doesn't it doesn't.”

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