This weekend sees a return to The MBi Shay Stadium for FC Halifax Town, who will be looking to put a dire 3-0 away defeat last time out, firmly in the past. The hosts will welcome Hartlepool United, a side coming off the back of a home point against Eastleigh.
With only two points separating the sides in the league table after 11 games, both sides will be hoping to secure all three points.
Hartlepool currently sit three places above Halifax going into the game. However, a home win would see that dramatically change, with the opportunity for the hosts to leapfrog their opposition.
Looking back to last seasons clashes with Hartlepool United, The Shaymen managed to take three points out of a possible six in the league. It can be considered respectable. Although, Jamie Fullarton will be hoping that his side can contest both games a bit more successfully this time round.
Away-day defeat – Hartlepool United 4-0 FC Halifax Town, 21st November 2017
A first National League meeting last season saw The Shaymen travel to the North-East. The game that was played out in front of 2755 fans, will be one that FC Halifax Town will be looking to forget with a 4-0 thrashing the end outcome.
Going into this game, Halifax Town were without a win in eight and Hartlepool showed no mercy in extending that run to nine games.
After just 31 minutes, The Pools were 3-0 to the good in front of their fans at Victoria Park. It was defender Nicky Deverdics who opened the scoring just four minutes in. Soon after it was set to become worse for Halifax, after Rhys Oates was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box. There was no mistake in punishing the away side, seven minutes in it was 2-0 thanks to Liam Donnelly from 12 yards. A half to forget for Town was rounded off by striker Oates when he made it 3-0.
The second half was less eventful and featured just the one goal, a first goal for Hartlepool coming for Conor Newton, who added gloss to what was a convincing win for the Pools.
In the return fixture which saw The Shaymen turn hosts, a positive result was needed, especially as both sides lingered towards the bottom end of the National League table.
Sweet revenge – FC Halifax Town 2-0 Hartlepool United, 20th February 2018
Having dismantled their hosts just three months prior at Victoria Park, Hartlepool were looking for a similar result to help ease their fears of relegation and were unfortunate not to be in the lead.
There was a couple of good chances for them to break the deadlock, Michael Woods watched his effort from the edge of the area go close, while other notable chances fell to Louis Laing and Jake Cassidy. Laing was unable to guide his header well enough, as a result saw it over the bar and then came agony for Cassidy as his effort hit the post.
Little did that matter to Halifax who made the most of their chances, 75 minutes in the game had it’s first goal. It came via Nathan Hotte’s deflected effort. Just minutes later, the advantage was doubled, and Halifax were now sitting comfortable on a two-goal lead. A mistake by United keeper Scott Loach, who parried a shot straight to striker Ben Tomlinson, meant that the Yorkshire side would be opening their account for league wins in 2018.
What are your thoughts for Saturday’s fixture?
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