FC Halifax Town managed to forget Boxing Day’s disappointing 3-2 defeat to Darlington 1883 with a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture at the MBi Shay Stadium on New Year’s Day.
New signing Adam Morgan ran the show for Town as he netted his second brace within a week, giving the Shaymen the lead twice throughout the match. However, Darlington’s resilience paid off as Captain Kevin Burgess managed to salvage a point for the visitors.
However, we can now look forward to the next fixture as the Shaymen travel to Bower Fold, the home of Stalybridge Celtic. Town are currently seeking their first win since the middle of November, although news this week suggests that ‘Bridge could be the fitter side going into the game.
The home side have not played since their Boxing Day defeat at home to Curzon Ashton due to a frozen pitch calling off the reverse fixture which was to be played on the 2nd January. As of yet, the fixture has not been rescheduled.
Staying with Stalybridge now as they have confirmed the signing of Ashton United midfielder Chris Baguley. The former Oldham Athletic man will be linking up with some ex-teammates along with former managers Steve Halford and Paul Phillips.
Ashton, of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division, currently sit in fifteenth place as Baguley leaves the club with 130 appearances under his belt.
Elsewhere in the National League North, Boston United look set to be without striker Gregg Smith for a long period due to sustaining a serious injury in the Pilgrims’ 2-1 away win at Gainsborough Trinity.
Smith was seen to both dislocate and fracture his right ankle in the second half and, after a lengthy spell of treatment, he was taken to Lincoln County Hospital for further assessment.
The club say that further updates on Smith’s condition will be provided as soon as they are known. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Finally, Altrincham interim manager Matt Doughty has been placed in charge of the club until the end of the current season.
Doughty, along with his assistants Robbie Lawton and Graham Heathcote, took over struggling Alty after the sacking of former Shaymen boss Jim Harvey in December. Newly relegated Altrincham have only won once this season and currently see themselves rooted to the bottom of the table.
In an interview with the club website, Doughty outlined that results as Harvey’s former assistant should not affect his position as he takes charge of the league strugglers.
“For me, it’s the right decision, not because I want the job but because the revolving door of managers coming in has to stop.”
“People look at this club from the outside and think it’s a circus, and that can’t happen. This is a proper football club, and I will make sure we are right on the pitch now.”
“I know I’ve been assistant to Jim when we’ve been losing games, but that is completely different to what is happening at the moment. The buck stops with me now.”
Remember, if you cannot make it to Bower Fold on Saturday then there will be live updates of the clash against Stalybridge available on the website, along with post-match reaction available after the game on Shaymen Player HD.
Read more posts by Kelly Gilchrist
;
