Hello and welcome to something a little new round here, today we will be having a look at the upcoming clash between Halifax Town and Wealdstone.
A word on the Hosts
Halifax will be coming into the game desperate to kick on and get their season back on track after a less than ideal start in which they find themselves 19th with only 5 games played. Most recently, they’ve suffered from the setbacks of positive COVID-19 tests, a situation I’m sure they’ll be keen to get past.
Aside from their off the pitch wobbles, returns on the pitch have not been stellar so far. For a team who made last season’s Play-Offs under the points per game method, Town have only enjoyed one win so far this season (against Dagenham & Redbridge). In fact, all three of their last league games have ended in a draw, with two of them even going goalless!
All in all, it’s not been a perfect start, and I don’t doubt that they may see a home game as the perfect chance to turn their fortunes around.
The Stones Roll On
In contrast, Wealdstone have made an early rise up the table to the heights of third. This has been buoyed by their potent goalscoring in the early parts of the season. Netting 15 goals, the main worry of the Stones is that their goal difference remains perfectly balanced with 15 also conceded.
Wealdstone will likely be hoping for a more comfortable affair than the recent visit of Altrincham. In a fraught contest, Wealdstone managed to pull off the win, though few would say it was in the easiest of fashions. Given Halifax Town’s tight defence only shipping 3 goals so far, it is set to be an interesting stylistic clash.
On the Touchline
Opposite Dean Brennan, some football fans may recognise Pete Wild in the Halifax Town technical area. With two stints as Oldham Athletic’s caretaker manager, Wild most famously led Oldham to a shock win over Fulham in the 18-19 season. Having been at Halifax Town since July 2019, Wild will no doubt be looking to match last season’s success again this year.
A Familiar Face
Finally, it cannot go unmentioned that Wealdstone fans may notice a familiar face in the Halifax ranks. Yes indeed, No.9, Jake Hyde may be remembered as the man who scuppered Wealdstone’s Play-Off dreams in the 18/19 season, coming off the bench for Woking in the 66th minute, and scoring in the 90th to complete a dramatic comeback (forever immortalised in poster form on thegoalhanger.co.uk). Was he offside and will he come back to haunt the Stones again on Tuesday evening?
All in all, it’s set to be an exciting clash. I am going for a low scoring game with the Stones getting their record fifth consecutive win.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch to let us know your predictions
Dan blogs over at www.top-bins.co.uk and is going to write some match previews and other content for us this season.
Lover of all sports with a particular passion for football, an Arsenal and Wealdstone season ticket holder.
Cover Photo Credit: Adam Williams
