FC Halifax Town face another away test on Saturday 1st of February as they travel to Sincil Bank to take on Lincoln City.
The game is a 3pm kick-off, and represents a quick turnaround, with the two teams meeting just a month ago, with Town taking the spoils in late December in a 5-1 victory.
Town sit in eighth in the Skrill Conference Premier table, just two points from the play-off places, while struggling Lincoln lye in 17th place, only six points clear of the relegation zone.
Team News
Neil Aspin has seen more injuries hit his squad this week, with both Simon Ainge and Matty Pearson doubtful to start on Saturday after their knocks at Aldershot. They join Ryan Toulson and Danny Lowe in the treatment room, although the club captain and full back aren’t too far away from returning. Scott McManus is eligible again after completing his suspension
Form
Lincoln City have find life in the Skirll Conference Premier tough of late, and have only won once in their last eleven league games. That win, a 4-1 triumph over Alfreton on the 7th of January, lifted some of the pressure off boss Gary Simpson, but the Imps are still only six points from the drop zone, and a failure to turn their form around could see them embroiled in a relegation dog fight come the end of the season.
Key Man
In a somewhat disappointing season for the Imps, striker Ben Tomlinson has been a bright spot. The 24 year-old joined from neighbours Alfreton Town in the summer, and has scored nine league goals for City – more than twice as many as any of his teammates. The Dinnington-born attacker started his career at Rotherham United before spending time in the Football League with Macclesfield Town. Whilst at Moss Rose, he scored one of the fastest goals in Football League history when he netted after just 6.4 seconds at Morecambe. The Imps man will surely fancy his chances of adding to his tally against a depleted Shaymen defence.
Down The Years
There have been 85 meetings between the two clubs – Lincoln City v both Halifax Town and FCHT. In 85 games, The Imps have the edge, having won 39 times, compared to Town’s 29 successes.
Last Meeting
The last meeting between the two came just over a month ago, as Town thumped Lincoln 5-1 on the 28th of December at the Shay. An early red card for Imps Captain Alan Power put the Shaymen in charge, and goals from Gardner, Gregory, Smith, Worthington and Gray was enough to end 2013 on a high.
Officials
Referee: Wayne Barratt
Assistants: Paul Burnham and Mark Potkins
Fourth Official: Mark Hutchinson
Betting
FC Halifax Town enter the game as slight underdogs at the price of 19/10 to record on their second away league win of the season.
The hosts Lincoln are favourites at 6/5, while the draw is 12/5.
All the markets are available on the Sky Bet website
(All odds are correct at time of publishing.)
Follow the game
There will be full match commentary on Shaymen Player, provided by Matt Shaw.
Match updates will also be available on the Shaymen Wall as well as the club’s official Twitter feed. (https://twitter.com/FCHTOnline)
Shaymen Player will also have extended match highlights from the game, as well as all the reaction from Neil Aspin and the rest of the camp.
Let us have your predictions below.
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