23/2/08 - Halifax Town v Stafford Rangers preview

Steve Bull is expected to carry out a watching brief as a new era for Stafford Rangers begins at Halifax Town on Saturday, 23rd February.

The new manager, who officially takes charge before next Saturday’s home game with Farsley Celtic, will have opportunity to watch his new players in action both at the Shay Stadium and again on Tuesday at Histon.

Stafford travel to Halifax in 22nd position in the Blue Square Premier table having won their last two games at home to Weymouth and away at Forest Green Rovers.

The game was originally scheduled for mid-January, only to fall victim to a waterlogged pitch. There are no anticipated problems this time round though Shay Stadium is being used for Rugby League less than 24 hours before Halifax and Stafford get under way.

Defender Jemiah Richards will again be missing with his broken metatarsal but midfielder Ross Draper returns after completing a two-match suspension. Richie Sutton looks set to recover from the problem which forced him off just before the hour at Forest Green last Saturday. However, both Dolapo Olaoye and Nathan Smith are doubts.

Halifax are currently in 18th position in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone. They will be looking for a boost and end their current run of five league games without a win since defeating Farsley Celtic 2-0 on New Year’s Day. Last Saturday they went down by the odd goal in three at home to promotion-chasing Cambridge United.

While goals have been scored in recent games, the problem appears to be in defence. Boss Chris Wilder has completed the signings of defenders Tom Clarke (on loan from Huddersfield) and Gareth Davies (released by Chesterfield). Adam Quinn is likely to be missing and Jake Wright could feature for the first time in a month.

Rangers will come face-to-face with one former player at Shay Stadium. Midfielder Anthony Griffith has a spell on loan at Marston Road last season from Doncaster and now has a similar deal with Halifax.

The Shay Stadium is on the south side of Halifax on the A629 arterial road between Halifax and Huddersfield. From the West, leave the M62 at Junction 24 and follow the A629 into Halifax. Pick up signs for Eureka! and the Railway Station (some include 'The Shay'). The ground is just before Eureka! on the left.

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)