First Team News
First Team

Stalybridge: We’ve Met Before

Posted by Kelly Gilchrist
Posted on Thu 5 Jan 2017
Posted in First Team

Both sides havenโ€™t recorded a league victory since the back end of October, with the Shaymen impressively dispatching FC United of Manchester to a 3-1 score line whilst Celticโ€™s Gary Gee struck the only goal away at Braford Park Avenue.

That result has proven to be just one of three occasions where our opponents have come away with all three points this. 16 defeats in 22 games means they sit second from bottom in the National League North Table.

Despite the Shaymen facing an uncomfortable prospect of ten games without a win, Billy Heathโ€™s side will be confident ahead of their trip to Bower Fold.

History tells a different story, with Town only securing one victory in six games against Celtic.

The reverse fixtures this season were both cagey affairs, with Town captain Liam King converting the decisive penalty to secure a 1-0 victory to climb to just two points off the play-offs back in September.

Defenders Josh Wilde and Danny Hone were on the scoresheet in the Shaymenโ€™s FA Cup tie with Stalybridge and progressed into the 4th round qualifying stage of the competition.

Victory on Saturday would see Halifax remain in 9th place, however with games in hand a victory is vital to keep the play-off hopes alive.

Celtic however will be battling for survival for the remainder of this campaign, despite finishing 12th last season.

The sides met back in 201/12 season, with both hopeful of promotion to the Conference Premier.

The Shaymen failed to record a victory over Celtic on either occasion , the first a 2-2 draw in the opening weeks of the season before a late strike from Greg Wilkson sealed a 2-1 victory for Celtic in April.

It was Halifax who had the last laugh that season, qualifying for the play-offs in third whilst Stalybridge missed out by a single point.

Prior to this season the sides havenโ€™t faced since 2013 in what was two tight encounters once again. Only one goal occurred across both league games โ€“ striker Mitch Austin struck on 30 mins to secure three points for Stalybridge in April 2013.

Halifax will hope their first victory of 2017 comes on Saturday. Follow all the action from Bower Fold with live commentary on Shaymen Player HD , updates on Shaymen Wall as well as our dedicated Twitter Page (@FCHTOnline).

ย 

ย 

Read more posts by Kelly Gilchrist

Our
Principal
Partners
Our
Football
Partners
0
0