This weekend sees the beginning of FC Halifax Town’s 2017/18 FA Cup campaign as they face Tranmere Rovers at the MBi Shay stadium in the 4th Qualifying round. Since 2008 the Shaymen have shown steady progress in football’s oldest cup competition with their best performance coming just last season when they reached the second round.
2008/09 – 2nd Qualifying Round – Lost 4-1 at Nantwich Town
In Town’s first season with a new identity, the Shaymen could progress through their first two FA Cup ties to reach the 2nd Qualifying Round. For the new squad this proved to be the end of the FA Cup road as they were unable to compete with a strong Nantwich Town.
2009/10 – 4th Qualifying Round – Lost 0-1 at Home to Wrexham
In a series of rampant victories, Town put together a very positive cup run. A 6-0 away win against Brandon United kick-started the string of successes that saw Halifax keep a clean sheet in every match that they played in the competition prior to the 4th qualifying round. A solid Wrexham side managed to crack the Shaymen’s settled defensive line and left Yorkshire with a 0-1 victory
2010/11 – 4th Qualifying Round – Lost 0-1 at Home to Mansfield Town
A similar story to the previous season for Town. The first round proved just one step too far but the potential was present
2011/12 – 1st Round – Lost 0-4 at Home to Charlton Athletic
A breakthrough season in terms of the FA Cup for FC Halifax Town as they make it through to the 1st round proper for the first time since the formation of the club. Having defeated league rivals Solihull Moors to qualify for the 1st round, Town were drawn against League One high-fliers Charlton Athletic. A crowd of over 4500 attended the match but Town were unable to cause a huge upset and were defeated 0-4.
2012/13 – 4th Qualifying Round – Lost Replay 0-2 at Home to Lincoln City
Town came close to reaching the 1st round in successive seasons but they fell just short, being beaten in 4th Qualifying round by Lincoln City.
2013/14 – 1st Round – Lost 4-1 at MK Dons
2014/15 – 1st Round – Lost 1-2 at Home to Bradford City
2015/16 – 1st Round – Lost 0-4 at Home to Wycombe Wanderers
These three seasons showed consistency in Town’s FA Cup performances and was evidence that the Shaymen were now establishing themselves as more of a threat in Cup competitions. Each of the draws were tough for Halifax and it seems that playing against teams of quality was valuable for the squad.
2016/17 – 2nd Round – Lost Replay 0-2 at Home to Eastleigh
Last season saw the side’s best FA Cup performance since their formation in 2008, getting to the 2nd round for the first time. Town saw off the likes of Harrogate Town and Dagenham and Redbridge on their journey to the 2nd round and they were almost able to add Eastleigh to that list. The Shaymen drew 3-3 in the initial 1st round tie in a match which could have been won by either side. This result forced a replay at the MBi Shay stadium but unfortunately Halifax couldn’t use the home advantage to move progress into the 3rd round.
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