Billy Heath’s side have won consecutive matches after their comfortable 3-0 win against Curzon Ashton at the MBi Shay securing play-offs in the process. Dion Charles, Danny Hone and an own goal courtesy of Chris Rowney gave the Shaymen all three points ahead of their trip to Lancashire for the final fixture of the season.
The two promotion chasing sides last meeting came earlier on in the season when the Shaymen claimed a 2-1 victory at the Shay.
Billy Heath came into this match under serious pressure of losing his job after failing to record a win in their last ten games in all competitions. When as their opponents came in contrasting form, having only two lost games in their previous fifteen league matches.
This game could have been classed as an ‘acca-buster’ given the recent form respectively, with Matty Kosylo and Richard Peniket scoring the two goals for Billy Heath’s side as they claimed an invaluable three points. Dale Witham grabbed what proved to be a consolation for the Lancashire side in the second half.
The first goal came from the penalty spot courtesy of winger Kosylo. Adam Morgan did all the hard work when he was caught by Chorley’s goalkeeper Ritchie Branagan putting him on the floor and winning a crucial penalty for the Shaymen, which Kosylo dispatched comfortably.
The Shaymen’s second came on the hour mark when Peniket reacted first from Kosylo’s fre-kick. Peniket leapt highest in the area and his header was planted in the bottom corner out of the reach of Branagan doubling their lead.
Just ten minutes later and Chorley responded through Witham. The captain headed home under no pressure, in what he thought was a way back into the match but Billy Heath’s side held on for the three points.
The last meeting between these two top sides prior to January’s affair came over two years ago back in October 2014 for a FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay, after a 0-0 in the reverse fixture at Victory Park.
It proved to be a convincing evening for the Shaymen winning 4-0 and progressing through to the first-round proper of the oldest domestic competition. Goals from Peniket, Scott Boden and a brace from Adam Smith set up a tasty tie with local rivals Bradford City at the Shay.
The two sides first met eight years ago back in 2008 during Town’s first season since reforming in the Northern Premier League Division One North. The Shaymen came out on top in the inaugural meeting claiming a 3-1 victory, with goals from Ashley Stott, Paul Gedman and Tony Barras. Later in the season, Halifax was held to a goalless draw at Victory Park, in a season which saw The Shaymen finish eight.
In the following season, Halifax again took four points off the Lancashire side. A 3-3 draw at Chorley -the scorers on that day for the Shaymen were James Dean, Mark Peers, and Nick Gray.
This was followed by a hard-fought win at the Shay, as defender Steve Payne popped up with the winner. That season the Shaymen earned promotion and were crowned champions of the Northern Premier League Division One North after gaining 100 points.
FC Halifax Town travel to Chorley on Saturday 29th April, with kick off scheduled for 3:00pm.
You can catch all the build-up and live match commentary on Shaymen Player HD from 2:45pm, as well as full match updates on the Shaymen Wall and our official Twitter feed @FCHTOnline.
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