The Shots first away trip of the season sees us visit the Shay Stadium to take on FC Halifax Town.
A familiar foe to Aldershot Town for almost the last decade, the Shaymen have battled the Shots in every season of the Vanarama National League since 2017 after relegation the year before saw a brief spell in the Vanarama National League North.
FC Halifax Town are a phoenix club like ourselves, created from the winding up of Halifax Town AFC in 2008 and returned to the top tier of Non-League football in 2013. Since then, Halifax have enjoyed success in the cup with two FA Trophy wins in 2016 and 2023.
The Shaymen finished two points ahead of the Shots last season, occupying the final playoff place, but were knocked out at the first hurdle with a 4-2 defeat at Solihull Moors. They started their 24/25 campaign with a win as goals from Jamie Cooke and Adam Adetoro secured a 2-1 win over Barnet at the Shay.
LAST TIME OUT
The two sides last met in February 2024 when the Shots came away from the Shay with a 2-1 win.
Max Wright gave Halifax a first-half lead, but Lorent Tolaj’s equaliser fired the Shots forward and Kwame Thomas volleyed home to secure the win.
Aldershot also won last season’s fixture at the EBB Stadium as Lorent Tolaj scored a dramatic winner in the 98th minute in November.
SINCE WE MET
As mentioned earlier, Halifax put their defeat to the Shots behind them and perhaps used it to fuel their desires as they pipped Aldershot to the final playoff spot by just two points.
The playoff race went down to the final day of the season, but Halifax brushed off any potential pressure of having it in their hands with a 3-0 win away to Eastleigh.
Drawn against fifth-placed Solihull Moors as a result of Gateshead’s exclusion from the playoffs, the Shaymen found themselves 3-0 down after 38 minutes but despite a spirited fightback pulling the game back to 3-2, Solihull scored a late clincher to force Halifax to play Vanarama National Football for another season.
IN THE DUGOUT
Chris Millington is the man in charge of our hosts this weekend and has been in charge of FC Halifax Town 2022.
Millington began his time at the Shaymen as assistant to Pete Wild, but took over the reins himself when Wild left the Shay for Barrow.
His first season in charge was a successful one as he led his side out at Wembley for the FA Trophy final and subsequently up the famous steps to lift the trophy.
TICKET INFO
There are no advance sales of tickets for this weekend’s game – instead, travelling Shots fans can only buy tickets on the turnstile on the day of the game.
These tickets are only available to purchase with cash from Turnstile 15 in the East Stand, although Halifax state that card purchases can be made from their reception.
Ticket prices are as follows:
- Adult- £22
- Concession- £19
- 12-17’s- £10
- U12’s- £4
*Disabled supporters pay admission prices as per their relevant age group. A carer, if required, is admitted free of charge. Please go to Reception for assistance.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT
Live updates will be available from our social media platforms X (@OfficialShots), Instagram (@aldershottownfcofficial), and Facebook. After the game, highlights will be available on our YouTube channel.
The game will be available for broadcast via National League TV to those not in the UK.
There will be live commentary of the game provided by BBC Radio Surrey – available via 104.0 FM (East Surrey and North East Sussex, 104.6 FM (West Surrey and North East Hampshire) and DAB Digital or listen online HERE
