Get the lowdown on our next opponents: FC Halifax Town.
The Opposition
FC Halifax Town are on course for a seventh successive top half finish, and are also on the verge of potentially sealing a third consecutive spot in the play-offs, with the Shaymen currently level on points with Southend United with 11 games to go.
The West Yorkshire-based side endured a host of change last summer, with the resignation of manager Chris Millington after two years in the role along with a handful of key players, but has been a blow they have successfully navigated.
The arrival of Adam Lakeland in the Shay Stadium dugout has seen the club continue their consistency in the fifth tier, with the Shaymen shifting from a strong defensive outfit to one that is scoring more consistently, spearheaded by top scorer Will Harris.
While only four teams had a better defensive record than the Shaymen last term, they have outscored their entire 2024/25 total already, with Harris (17) and Josh Hmami (10) netting the bulk of their 53 strikes, with the duo notching more than half of that entire tally.
Furthermore, Will Hugill has been an integral member of the Blues’ engine room, appearing in every game this season, alongside the likes of Sam Johnson, Owen Bray, Thierry Latty-Fairweather, Angelo Cappello, Adam Alimi-Adetoro, Cody Johnson and Jay Turner-Cooke who have all featured at least 30 times.
As such, Halifax are well on their way to competing for a shot at promotion once again, and will be aiming to avenge their 4-0 defeat to eventual winners Oldham Athletic in the eliminator round last season, starting by clinching their top seven spot for yet another year.
The Manager
Adam Lakeland
Adam Lakeland joined The Shaymen following a successful spell at King’s Lynn Town where he secured survival in his first season before securing a play-off finish last time out.
Following a lengthy spell as manager of Blackburn Rovers Women, Lakeland joined Curzon Ashton as first team coach, where they achieved back-to-back promotions, before joining Northwich Victoria as manager in 2016, guiding them to the Northern Premier League Division One North play-off final.
A successful spell at Farsley Celtic followed as Lakeland achieved a play-off spot before winning the league to reach the National League North in 2019, before returning to Curzon Ashton in 2021, this time as manager.
Early in the 2023/24 season, Lakeland made the switch to King’s Lynn where he oversaw a mid-table finish, before reaching the play-offs last season.
However, he opted to join Halifax as Chris Millington’s successor in the summer, being joined by his assistant from both Curzon and King’s Lynn, former Shayman Sam Walker, who was a part of their first FA Trophy success in 2016, and have together guided the club to a respectable first half of the season.
One to Watch
Will Harris
Will Harris joined Halifax last summer following his departure from Spennymoor Town, and has taken to National League football like a duck to water, firing home 17 goals this season.
Hailing from South Shields, Harris came through the youth systems at Hebburn Town across a seven-year stay before being spotted by Burnley, with whom he signed his first professional contract. Whilst with the Clarets, Harris spent time on loan at Nelson, Colne, and Warrington Town, before returning to the North-East to make the switch to Sunderland, making his professional debut for the Black Cats against Lincoln City in the EFL Trophy the following year.
He went on to appear 14 times for the club, scoring four times, before joining Barrow on loan midway through the 2021/22 campaign. He subsequently departed Sunderland at the expiry of his contract and signed permanently for Gateshead, spending one season with the Heed, before joining Spennymoor Town.
He netted nine in his first season with the Moors, and in all scored an impressive 28 goals in 68 appearances across a two-year stint which included a brief stint on loan at Scunthorpe United last season.
This preceded a move to Halifax last summer, where he has enjoyed a stellar start to life in West Yorkshire.
Recent Form
FC Halifax Town 2-2 Rochdale AFC
York City 4-1 FC Halifax Town
FC Halifax Town 1-2 Gateshead
FC Halifax Town 1-0 Truro City
Brackley Town 1-1 FC Halifax Town
Aldershot Town 3-2 FC Halifax Town
Last Time Out
The Shaymen hosted Rochdale at The Shay Stadium on Tuesday evening and appeared destined for defeat after falling 2–0 behind in the 85th minute. With time running out, it looked as though Town were set to suffer another disappointing loss, however, they refused to give in and pulled a goal back in the 87th minute to spark late hope, and deep into stoppage time Tommy Lavery struck a dramatic equaliser in the 92nd minute, sending the home fans into jubilation and snatching victory from the Dales’ grasp.
The first five minutes were dominated by Halifax, but it was Rochdale who took the lead inside 15 minutes when former Shayman Devante Rodney finished off an impressive move that began deep in the visitors’ half. After a well-timed and daring run, Rodney received the ball in stride and calmly beat Sam Johnson in a one-on-one situation to give the Dales a 1–0 advantage heading into the interval.
Rochdale subsequently began the second half on the front foot and doubled their advantage Rochdale with minutes to go. Halifax lost possession in midfield and were hit on the counter-attack, and with three attackers bearing down on Jevon Mills and Sean Hobson, Johnson was forced into two superb saves to keep his side alive, but substitute Tyler Smith eventually converted at the third attempt to make it 2–0.
Despite this, the Shaymen responded swiftly, and in the 87th minute, following a corner, David Kawa saw his shot blocked, with Billy Waters then firing in from outside the box, forcing a save from Oliver Whatmuff, but Harris reacted quickest to slot home the rebound and reduce the deficit.
And deep into stoppage time, Halifax found their equaliser. After a throw-in, Cody Johnson delivered the ball into the box, where Kawa headed it on into the path of Lavery, who struck decisively to send the ball into the net in the 92nd minute.
