We’re back to the Shay on Tuesday night for one of the most important fixtures in the club calendar. Dagenham & Redbridge visit West Yorkshire in the Emirates FA Cup 1st Round replay with the winner facing an away tie at either Eastleigh or League One Swindon Town in the second round, both a money-maker and a top achievement in itself for Billy Heath’s men.
The FA Cup began its proper rounds last weekend with the Shaymen visiting Greater London, holding their National League opponents to an impressive stalemate.
Ten days after the creditable 0-0 result, the teams meet once more at the Shay to face off again, and with Halifax back to winning ways in the league following a 2-0 success over Kidderminster Harriers, John Still’s Daggers were humbled 5-0 at home by Gateshead. This eye-opening pair of results from Saturday afternoon could well work in the Shaymen’s favour in terms of form and confidence.
Halifax are still the bookies’ narrow underdogs, but odds on Billy Heath’s side to continue their path in the FA Cup have been slashed after Dagenham’s heavy home drubbing this weekend. Add to this the home advantage earned by the lads after their satisfying draw down South, and the victory and clean sheet against promotion rivals Kidderminster, the FA Trophy holders are in with a big chance to further stamp down their cup pedigree.
Halifax’s cup run began in September at the Second Qualifying Round stage, with a comprehensive 5-0 win at Ashton Athletic. A hard-fought 2-1 victory at the Shay against Stalybridge in the next round was then added to with an impressive 2-0 result at Harrogate Town to send them into the proper rounds.
National League promotion contenders Dagenham started their cup journey two rounds later than the Shaymen in the Fourth (and final) Qualifying Round. They beat National League South outfit Wealdstone 3-1 at the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium to earn their place in the First Round hat.
Josh MacDonald should be fit for Tuesday night’s clash after being substituted late in the first half of Saturday afternoon’s win with a minor foot problem.
Match Officials:
Referee: Thomas Bramall
Assistant Referees: Rebecca Welch, Richard Watson
Fourth Official: Craig Dean
Coverage:
There will be full match commentary on Shaymen Player HD starting from 7.15pm.
Match updates will also be available on the Shaymen Wall as well as the club’s Official Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/FCHTOnline)
The goals will be online on Wednesday night as well as reaction from Billy Heath and the squad.
Come down and show your support!
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