The Emirates FA Cup first round proper kicks-off this weekend as FC Halifax Town travel to National League side Dagenham and Redbridge hoping to provide a cup upset.
The Shaymen go into the game off the back of losing their seven-game winning streak following a 3-1 home defeat to Brackley Town last time out. However, that will be put firmly behind Town as they look to progress to the second round of the competition for the first time in their history.
Previous First Round ties have seen defeats to Charlton Athletic, MK Dons, Bradford City and most recently Wycombe Wanderers who all had Football League status. In terms of a tough opposition, the Daggers will be no exception as they boast an impressive cup record.
The 2002/03 season saw Dagenham and Redbridge reach the fourth round of the competition, the furthest the club has ever progressed to. Not only that, the club also qualified for the third round on three occasions as a non-league club.
Looking at league form, Town currently sit in fifth in the standings having previously occupied third before Saturdayโs defeat. The Daggers sit third in the National League having won eleven out of eighteen games so far and conceding only thirteen goals.
Manager John Still, a defender in his playing days, has certainly managed to pass on his defensive knowledge to provide this lack of conceding goals. The Shaymen will be looking to disprove this as they make the long journey south to Victoria Road.ย ย
Recent Form (League)
Halifax: LWWWWL
Dagenham and Redbridge: DLWDWD
Match Officials
Referee: Neil Hair
Assistant Referees: Samuel Ogles and Michael Ryan
Fourth Official: Jack Packman
Follow From Home
If you cannot make it to Dagenham there will be full match commentary available on Shaymen Player HD.
Match updates will also be available on the Shaymen Wall as well as the clubโs official Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/FCHTOnline)
Post-match reaction from Billy Heath and the squad will be available on Shaymen Player HD along with the goals from the game.
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