Following an impressive win over Altrincham FC on Saturday, Aldershot Town make the long journey to The Shay Stadium to face FC Halifax Town on Tuesday night in the hopes of securing a fourth consecutive victory in the National League.
In association with LV Bet, Kirshon Wilkins previews the game:
Shots Squad:
Lewis Kinsella, Craig Tanner and Ross McCormack are all progressing well from their long-term lay-offs, whilst both Alex Finney (hamstring) and George Fowler (knee) are doubtful. Harrison Panayiotou and Mo Bettamer will be in contention to start after the pair made their 50th appearances for the Shots against Altrincham FC on Saturday.
Opposition:
Name: FC Halifax Town
Founded: 2008 (Previously named Halifax Town AFC who went into administration in the 2007/08 season)
Nickname: The Shay
Opposition Manager: Pete Wild
Stadium: The Shay Stadium
2019/20 National League Final Position: 6th (Lost 2-1 to Boreham Wood in play-off eliminator)
Current Position: 7th
The Gaffer:
The Royton-born 36-year-old took up amateur football before taking up coaching at the age of 18. After working for Oldham Athletic for 10 years including time as an interim academy manager, Wild was appointed as Oldham’s caretaker manager on 27 February 2018 following the sacking of Frankie Bunn.
Wild won his first two games in charge and he led the Latics to a famous FA Cup victory against Premier League side Fulham which secured a third consecutive win under his reign in all competitions. After eight matches in charge, (four wins, three losses and one draw) he was replaced by Manchester United legend Paul Scholes.
In March 2019, Wild returned as caretaker manager and later that month, he was appointed as the club’s permanent manager on a contract until the end of the season. He left the club for personal reasons in May 2019 before joining Halifax on 24 July 2019. Last season, he took the side to the play-offs where they lost to Boreham Wood.
Departed:
18 players have left The Shay to move onto pastures new. Those released include Jerome Binnom-Williams (Barnet), Josh MacDonald (Hartlepool United), Josh Staunton (Yeovil Town), Tobi Sho-Silva (Sutton United), Michael Duckworth (York City), William Appleyard (Tadcaster Albion), Charlie Cooper (Woking), Jack Redshaw (York City), Cameron King (King’s Lynn Town), Liam Nolan (Macclesfield Town), Matty Brown (York City), Lewis Mansell (Accrington Stanley), Billy Chadwick (Hull City), Nyal Bell (Stockport County) and Gold Omotayo (Gloucester City). Jake Taylor (APEA Akrotiri) and Gevaro Nepomuceno (FC Dinamo) have moved abroad whilst former Crystal Palace midfielder Neil Danns (Connah’s Quay) has moved to Wales.
Retained:
10 players have been retained from their campaign last season. Jay Benn, Sam Johnson, Jeff King, Nathan Clarke, Jamie Allen, Jack Earing, Danny Williams, Luke Summerfield, Niall Maher and Nick Crane have committed to the club for this season.
Arrived:
15 new players have joined the Shaymen this season. Tom Bradbury (Yeovil), Matty Stenson (Solihull Moors), Reuben Noble-Lazarus (Golcar United), Luke Summerfield (Wrexham AFC), Jake Hyde (Woking), Dom Tear (Huddersfield Town B), Kian Spence (Scarborough Athletic), Kieran Green (York City), Neill Byrne (AFC Fylde), Jack Senior (Gloucester), Harrison Davison-Hale (Huddersfield u18s) and Chris Renshaw (Witton Albion). Players signed on loan include Tahvon Campbell (Cheltenham Town) and Jean Leroy-Belehouan (Sheffield United u23s). Martin Woods was signed for free without a club.
Form:
After failing to gain promotion to League Two via the play-offs, Halifax find themselves back into the play-off picture just a season after. The Shaymen have won their last three games in the National League and they will be looking for a fourth as well as Aldershot Town in Tuesday’s fixture.
Referee:
Tonight’s referee is Karl Evans with his assistants Elliott Heward and Lewis Raper and the fourth official officiating the game is Martin Parker.
Match Coverage:
Tuesday’s game will be £9.99 for all supporters via FC Halifax Town’s stream and you can watch the stream HERE. The coverage is scheduled to start at around 6:30pm.
Halifax Town are also providing physical programmes for Tuesday night’s game which can be ordered through their Club Shop. These are only available until later tonight so make sure you click HERE to order yours.
