FC Halifax Town’s push for a play-off place sees the Shaymen make the trip south to take on a Barnet side just two points back in eighth place. The Skrill Conference Premier season is building to a dramatic climax, with Halifax now knowing their fate rests in their own hands.
Team News
Adam Smith could return to the fold after sitting out the Nuneaton game with a groin injury, but Marc Roberts could be in line for a recall as he is likely to face a late fitness test. His defensive partner Simon Ainge will definitely be out as he serves the second match of his suspension. If Roberts fails to recover, goalscorer Chris Smith and Captain Danny Lowe will certainly deputise as they looked solid in the win last weekend.
Current Form
Halifax’s purple patch could not have come at a better time as the season enters its final few weeks: the Shaymen have won every game except the home tie with Braintree since March 1st, and have vaulted themselves right into contention. Only Woking can hold a candle to Town’s return of 18 points from a possible 21.
In that same stretch, the Bees have taken just eight points, and are in danger of falling out of the play-off race with a negative result on Saturday. Last time out they managed a 1-1 draw at Southport: Mark Byrne cancelling out Scott Brown’s opener on the stroke of half time.
Last Meeting
Last time these two sides met, Scott McManus curled a low shot into the bottom corner from nearly 30 yards out as both sides opted for a long-range, shoot on sight policy that largely paid dividends. David Stephens smashed against the underside of Matt Glennon’s goal at the end of the first half, but Lois Maynard bundled home from a Simon Ainge knockdown to put the game to bed. However Curtis Weston beat Glennon from even further out than McManus with an effort that drew applause from some of the home fans in attendance. It finished 2-1 and the Shaymen had passed their biggest home test to date in a game basked in sunshine throughout.
Down the Years
Barnet have had the upper hand in head-to-heads with Town, picking up nine wins (all in the league) with Town winning four and drawing four of the 17 encounters.
Officials
Referee: Robert Whitton
Assistants: Andrew Tonks & Stuart Pawley
Fourth Official: George Sprague
Follow the Game
There will be full match commentary on Shaymen Player, as well as highlights and reaction from the players and manager.
Also, there will be updates running on the Shaymen Wall, and followers of @FCHTOnline can get updates via Twitter.
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