Match Preview - 19/1/08 Halifax v Stafford

MATCH POSTPONED DUE TO A WATERLOGGED PITCH

Buoyed by last week’s 2-1 win over Forest Green Rovers, Stafford Rangers go in search of much-needed league points when they visit Halifax Town on Saturday.

And with players returning from injury and suspension, joint caretaker managers Neil Grayson and Kevin Street will have to decide whether to change a winning starting line-up.

Both Grayson, himself, and midfielder Chris Flynn will be available for selection after completing their respective one- and four-match bans. Seb Arnolin also returns to the squad having been cup-tied for the Forest Green tie.

Djimi Sangare and Nathan Smith are hoping to be available to play some part at Shay Stadium if they have recovered from their respective injuries.

Rangers face a side who occupy 18th position in the Blue Square Premier table despite losing just one home league game all season. They lost 3-0 to Exeter and Stafford fans know just what formidable opposition the Devon side can be on their travels.

Looking ahead to the game, Grayson said: “It is a local game for me.

“We need to start picking up some points in the league and the way we have been playing there is no reason why we shouldn’t pick something up.

“We will have a reasonable squad so I may have to drop somebody which will be a change.”

While the prospects of the game going ahead looked break earlier in the week with the Shay Stadium pitch waterlogged, there were no reported plans for a pitch inspection on Saturday morning. However, one may be carried out around 10.00 am prior to the departure of the team coach. Vital areas of the playing surface have been protected by covers.

Halifax could have as many as four players making their home debuts including Cork City central defender Brian O’Callaghan, subject to international clearance. Nathan Joynes who scored for Halifax in the corresponding game last season is set to play his first home game as a permanent signing. He was previously on loan from Barnsley.

Stafford and Halifax have met on 12 previous occasions but won only one - famously 2-1 at Marston Road in a 1974/75 FA Cup Second Round tie when legend Jim Sargeant scored a last-minute winner. Rangers have previously visited Shay Stadium on four occasions - drawing once and losing three times. Earlier this season, Halifax won 3-2 at Marston Road in front of the Setanta TV cameras.



14/12/74 Stafford Rangers 2 Halifax Town 1 (FA Cup Second Round)
13/12/75 Stafford Rangers 1 Halifax Town 3 (FA Cup Second Round)
20/11/76 Stafford Rangers 0 Halifax Town 0 (FA Cup First Round)
23/11/76 Halifax Town 1 Stafford Rangers 0 (FA Cup First Round replay)
18/11/89 Stafford Rangers 2 Halifax Town 3 (FA Cup First Round)
30/08/93 Halifax Town 1 Stafford Rangers 1 (Vauxhall Conference)
05/02/94 Stafford Rangers 1 Halifax Town 1 (Vauxhall Conference)
05/11/94 Halifax Town 6 Stafford Rangers 0 (Vauxhall Conference)
07/02/95 Stafford Rangers 0 Halifax Town 1 (Vauxhall Conference)
18/11/06 Halifax Town 3 Stafford Rangers 1 (Nationwide Conference)
17/02/07 Stafford Rangers 1 Halifax Town 3 (Nationwide Conference)
06/09/07 Stafford Rangers 2 Halifax Town 3 (Blue Sq Premier) (report)

As a curtain-raiser to the main event, a supporters match between AFC Halifax and Stafford Supporters is scheduled for a 10-30 am kick-off.