Eight goals in a week have set The Shaymen up nicely for this FA Cup encounter.
The Heed arrived at The Shay last weekend fresh off the back of news that they had been taken over by an American ‘billionaire’ (how many now own a National League or lower league club?) and with that a spring in their step.
Freddie Issaka’s powerful hit gave the bottom side the lead and Town appeared to be outmuscled for most of the first period. This seems to be an issue that is following us through this season so far – we appear to start slow or need to ‘go a goal behind’ before we begin to take matches by the scruff of the neck more. Did both Boston and Gateshead score against the run of play in recent home matches? Yes, but despite having more of the possession, the chances created were not clear cut.
On the flip thankfully John McGrath and his staffs’ half-time team talks have been doing the trick, and before play today The Shaymen have only lost one home game in all competitions and that was to current runaway leaders Boreham Wood who are already seven points clear of second placed side Harrogate Town. Each of the four goals against Gateshead were well worked in different ways from Conte’s first that required him to place a bent shot away from Heed ‘keeper Pete Jameson, good wing play from Connor Douglas being met by the head of Carty (a Strikers finish at the near post), David Kawa being unselfish and laying the third on a plate for Ben Tollitt to lash home, through to Conte’s 90+4 minute second in which he wriggled free of being penned in by the corner flag before flashing his right-footed strike into the top corner.
The Stoke National League Cup match was another solid, if disjointed in places performance that ensures the club’s 100% record continues. Major positives included extended runs for the returning Mackenzie Maltby and Owen Bray alongside more minutes for David Kawa who replaced goalscorer Amari Morgan-Smith with this match keeping him ticking over also. Sam Johnson got another appearance closer to his 500th between the sticks with Deniche Hill featuring after his return from Bermuda duty too. Whisper it quietly, but Town almost have a fully fit squad to select from now…
Onto today’s FA Cup encounter and Town fans need no reminders of either who North or South Shields are. I wonder how many other clubs of a similar stature have the record of being ‘giant killed’ by both (plus Whitby and Marine x2 and, and, and in the last fifty years…)?
Such was the magnitude of the win at The Shay for todays near neighbours, it still features in every ‘History of North Shields’ the club submits for their home and away programme notes,
“In [on the 20th of November 1982], The Robins won 1-0 at Halifax Town in the FA Cup First Round. Bede McCaffrey scoring the all-important goal that year. Walsall were the visitors to Appleby Park in the Second Round, for only the second time in the club’s history and left with a 3-0 victory.”.
Town travelled up to South Shields in the same 4th Qualifying Round stage as today on the 24th October 2020 (the season played behind closed doors). The Mariners were Northern Premier League leaders, and it came as no surprise that afternoon when they run out 2-0 winners. Town had begun the season indifferent form with one win on the opening day versus Dagenham & Redbridge, three draws and a defeat prior (there were also rumours of a sickness running rampant through the squad that day, but such is the way with an upset – always some kind of excuse).
The Shaymen’s season continued to conclusion and a 10th placed finish in the Vanarama National League, however South Shield’s NPL season was curtailed so they were denied promotion. Since then, they have gained that promotion and come into today’s game once more in good League form, 5th and four points behind Enterprise National League North leaders Macclesfield.
Make no mistake, if Halifax are not at their best this afternoon, our underwhelming FA Cup displays over the years will tick over another season. 1989 was the last time we made the 3rd Round and not just being in the draw due to still having play 2nd Round Replays (now of course scrapped), all of which were lost. We even lost that 3rd Round FA Cup Replay tie to yet another non-League side as a Football League one in Kettering Town.
Should we begin this match slow or underestimate the opposition – one John McGrath and his former Buxton signings will know well from last season’s Playoff loss to Shields (so I doubt that) we will go out. I am sure The Mariners supporters will have travelled in good numbers too and will be up for the tie too.
On the flip, we do have eight goals in our last two home matches and are an expansive team with goals coming from all over the pitch. Is the glass half full or empty? Depends on your perspective.
One thing is for certain; this will be one of the sternest tests the club has faced at home so far this season and hopefully the best team wins on the afternoon.
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