With FC Halifax Town looking to fire their way back into the National League on the first time of asking through the play-offs, Charlie Russell looks at the previous National League North Play-Off final battles.
Following an impressive penalty shootout last weekend against Salford City, the Shaymen have claimed their place in the play-off final where they will take on Chorley this Saturday at the Shay.
Last season Billy Heath guided North Ferriby to Play-Off victory with a 2-1 win over now-promoted Fylde. Heath’s side came back from being 1-0 down to win 2-1 after extra time.
Now a town player, Danny Hone was the hero on the day with a 95th minute winner which earnt The Villagers their place in the National League for the 2016/17 season.
The 2015/16 season saw Chorley take the lead after just five minutes through former Macclesfield Town defender Andrew Teague. The Magpies then added a second just 18 minutes later with Paul Jarvis finding the net.
However, the second half saw an array of goals from Yorkshire based side, Guiseley. The away team on the day, due to final league positioning, had a mountain of a task on their hands at Victory park.
Former England C striker, Adam Boyes gave Guiseley their first goal of the game in the 56th minute. With the score then reduced to 2-1, the pressure was on Chorley who had finished fourth that season.
Liam Dickinson equalised for The Lions on the 73rd minute mark cancelling out Chorley’s first half efforts.
Just six minutes after Dickinson’s equaliser substitute Nicky Boshell scored to give Guiseley a late dramatic winner as The Lions had come from being 2-0 down to win 3-2.
The season prior, Guiseley had lost out to Altrincham 2-1 in the Conference North play-off final.
The 2012/13 season will be a memorable one with Shaymen fans. A season which saw Halifax record a 7-0 home win over Hinckley United also saw promotion to the then named-Conference Premier.
Lee Gregory stole the show on the day back in 2013 at Brackley Town’s St James’ Park with the only goal of the game coming in the 76th minute.
Gregory’s close range strike went down in club history as he joined Millwall in June 2014.
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