FC Halifax Town v Ebbsfleet preview

FC Halifax Town welcome the BT Sport cameras to The Shay for the first time this season when they host Ebbsfleet on Saturday tea-time (5.20pm).
By Tom Scargill
Published 13th Mar 2020, 08:31 BST

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Football - FC Halifax Town v Woking at the Shay Stadium. Matty Brown for Town.Football - FC Halifax Town v Woking at the Shay Stadium. Matty Brown for Town.
Football - FC Halifax Town v Woking at the Shay Stadium. Matty Brown for Town.

Town have already been on BT Sport this season, when they won 2-0 at Dover in September, and could move as high as third in the table if they win and Yeovil, Notts County and Boreham Wood all lose.

But if they lose and other results go against them, Halifax could drop out of the top seven, depending on goal difference.

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Halifax’s only goal in their last four games is Devante Rodney’s penalty against Sutton, with The Shaymen losing three of their last four, having won five in a row before then.

Ebbsfleet have been very inconsistent of late, winning three, drawing two and losing two of their last seven matches, but they have won both of their last two away games, at Maidenhead and play-off chasers Hartlepool.

Gozie Ugwu’s 78th minute penalty - his 12th goal of the season - proved decisive at Hartlepool. The striker nearly joined Halifax in 2015, with boss Neil Aspin having a deal in place to sign him, but Ugwu opted to join yeovil instead.

Saturday’s visitors have conceded more than any other side in the fifth tier this season, while only Fylde and Chorley have won fewer matches.

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Ebbsfleet look set to be without on loan goalkeeper David Gregory, who remains sidelined with a back injury, and Alex Lawless. But midfielder Frankie Sutherland could return.

Town boss Pete Wild’s only injury doubt is over captain Matty Brown (pictured), who has a sore back, but the skipper played with the problem against Woking last Saturday, so should feature.

The Shaymen beat Ebbsfleet 4-1 on the opening day of the season in a game that saw Nathan Clarke score a goal from inside his own half just before full-time.

Keep up to date with all the latest FC Halifax Town news and interviews by joining our dedicated Facebook group here.

Saturday’s National League fixtures:

AFC Fylde v Aldershot Town

Barrow v Wrexham

Boreham Wood v Torquay United

Bromley v Chorley

Dover Athletic v Chesterfield

Maidenhead United v Stockport County

Notts County v Eastleigh

Sutton United v Hartlepool United

Woking v Dagenham & Redbridge

Yeovil Town v Barnet

FC Halifax Town v Ebbsfleet United

Related topics:FC Halifax TownBT SportNotts County

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