Team News
James Bolton is ineligible to feature in Saturday’s clash due to his loan agreement from Macclesfield which may see Simon Ainge return to the defence. Ryan Toulson is making good progress on his injury rehabilitation but will still be ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Current form
Lois Maynard’s superb winner at Grimsby Town on Tuesday night sealed a ninth consecutive match unbeaten for Neil Aspin’s side, and the defensive shut-out meant Matt Glennon and co have only conceded one goal in these nine fixtures. The Shaymen are the form team in the division and will not be fearing anybody having beaten several play-off rivals and league champions Luton Town during this incredible vein of form.
Key man
Striker Scott Boden has bagged 19 goals in all competitions for Macclesfield this season, with 16 of those coming in the Skrill Conference Premier. The 24-year-old has netted in each of his last three appearances and scored against The Shaymen in the reverse fixture back in August at Moss Rose. In fact Boden has scored four of Macclesfield’s last five goals in the league and he is the only man to have got on the scoresheet in the Cheshire club’s last five games.
Down the years
The Shaymen edge to short head to head record with their visitors with two victories compared to Macclesfield’s one, however four encounters have ended up in draws. The first ever meeting between the two teams came in October 1999 at Moss Rose where goals from Rodney Rowe and Jamie Paterson sealed a 2-0 win for Halifax. The Silkmen’s solitary defeat of Town came later that season when Darren Tinson’s strike was the difference at The Shay.
Played for both:
Lee Bradley (1976-79): The Defender made 72 appearances, scoring four times for The Shaymen.
Mark Bradshaw (1997-2001): Bradshaw amassed 125 appearances in West Yorkshire, scoring 12 goals from fullback.
Elfyn Edwards (1993-94): In one season at Halifax the Welsh Defender scored once in 32 appearances.
Kevin Hulme (1996-99): Hulme made 96 appearances for Halifax, scoring 15 times.
Paul Kendall (1981-88): Having only played for three clubs in his career, Kendall made 116 appearances for The Shaymen, scoring four times.
Kevin Sandwith (2002-04): Sandwith, a fullback, played for two years making 64 appearances and scoring three goals.
David Shawcross (1967-70): Over three years Shawcross made 132 appearances for Halifax, with a return of 21 goals from midfield.
Albert Valentine (1934-37): Club legend Valentine netted an incredible 89 times in 114 matches during his three years at the club.
Last meeting
The two sides met back in August and played out a 2-2 draw at Moss Rose. Lee Gregory and Kevin Holsgrove had given The Shaymen an early two goal lead, before Boden pulled one back before half time. The hosts had striker Connor Jennings dismissed on the stroke of half-time but managed to level the scores eight minutes from time through Jack Mackreth.
Officials
Referee – Ross Joyce
Assistant Referee: Christopher Husband
Assistant Referee: Neil Pratt
Fourth Official: Ian Smedley
Follow the game
There will be live and kick by kick audio commentary of the game on Shaymen Player.
Match updates will also be available on the official site as well as the club’s official Twitter feed. (https://twitter.com/FCHTOnline)
Listen to the pre match show on Shaymen Player which will also have extended match highlights from the game, as well as all the reaction from Neil Aspin and the rest of the camp.
Read more posts by Kelly Gilchrist
