After getting off to a winning start by beating Brighouse Town 4-2, FC Halifax Town hope to carry on their winning form tonight in their rearranged second pre-season fixture against National League North side Gainsborough Trinity.
Trinity, who have won their first two pre-season fixtures beating both Winterton Rangers and Frickley Athletic 1-0 away from home, will want to carry on their winning run when they host the Shaymen at the Martin & Co tonight.
Players to watch
FC Halifax Town – Connor Oliver and Scott McManus
New signing Connor Oliver has, for the second time, secured a place in the ‘Players to watch’ after an exciting first half performance in Saturday’s game against Brighouse Town. The Shaymen’s newest edition impressed during his first game in a Halifax shirt, being involved in a lot of the play and having a hand in two of the four goals before whole-sale changes at half-time.
Expect another place in the starting eleven for the midfielder and another impressive performances a strong possibility.
The Shaymen’s Scott McManus has also been placed on the ‘players to watch’ list after an equally impressive performance after recovering from a series of injury problems over the last fourteen months. McManus, otherwise known as ‘The Wembley hero’, scored two first-half goals during Saturdays friendly and was the only player to play the first-half and return to the pitch for the second. Like Oliver, McManus is expected to start the game and hopefully continue to impress with his performance and continue getting on the scoresheet.
Gainsborough Trinity – Bradley Wells
The striker, who recently joined Trinity from Northern Premier League Division One South team Spalding United, made his first appearance as a second-half substitute during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Frickley Athletic. Having come off the bench and showing his manager a glimpse of what he can offer with several chances, he could well be in contention to make his home debut against the Shaymen and will be looking to kick start his Trinity career with a goal as soon as possible. That could well be during tonight’s game; he’ll be one to watch.
Current Form
Tonight’s hosts come into the game having won their first two pre-season fixtures, both being 1-0 wins. This run of form will be refreshing for Gainsborough Trinity fans having seen their team win only one of their last four games of the domestic season and receiving a 5-1 thrashing to the hands of FC United of Manchester on the final day of the season. With only one point keeping Trinity from relegation, their season wasn’t exactly what they wished for and having gained two wins out two in pre-season so far, they will be looking to grab a third on their home turf tonight.
Although FC Halifax Town have only played one pre-season game so far, they remain undefeated after Saturdays win and will therefore want to carry on their winning ways tonight. With a successful promotion last season and a win in their first pre-season game, more wins will build more confidence and that is exactly what the Shaymen need going into the new season.
FC Halifax Town: WWWWDW (includes both last season’s results and the current pre-season)
Gainsborough Trinity: WWLDDW (includes both last season’s results and the current pre-season)
Last meeting
The last meeting between FC Halifax Town and Gainsborough Trinity was last season (21st March) during the Shaymen’s promotion push. That day, the Shaymen were trailing 1-0 at half-time after a Jordan Thewlis goal put Trinity ahead but shortly after the restart Trinity defender Chris Salt headed into his own goal, giving Halifax a goal back. Things were settled in the latter stages of the game after a late strike from Halifax’s Adam Morgan, sealing the win and giving the Shaymen a vital three points in the hunt for promotion. Something of which, they went on to do.
Game
Teams: Gainsborough Trinity vs FC Halifax Town
Kick-off: Thursday 13th July, 7.45pm kick-off.
Stadium: Martin & Co Arena
Match type: Friendly
Away Guide – click here
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