Published Date:
10 March 2009
By Dave Fletcher
TOWN boss Jim Vince welcomes back Tom Baker to his squad for tonight's Shay clash with Harrogate Railway (7.45).
And the midfielder's return from suspension could not have come at a better time for the team, who will be without Paul Collins and Danny Meadowcroft after the pair suffered serious injuries in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Durham.
Collins is expected to be sidelined to the end of the season after damaging his knee while Meadowcroft dislocated his shoulder.
And even with the return of Baker, Vince is down to 16 fit players for a game he knows his side have to win.
"Injuries are part of the game," said Vince. "But it is good to have Tom back available again.
"We have lost a couple, but at least we have one returning.
"We are in a mini league now with 10 games to go.
"We need as many points from those games as we can win to keep the pressure on."
Leaders Durham slipped up last night, going down 4-2 at struggling Radcliffe and remain four points in front of the Shaymen but with three games in hand.
Town have unhappy memories of two games against Harrogate this season, both at Station View and both going the way of the home side.
They were beaten 2-1 in the FA Trophy and 2-0 in a league encounter on January 1 after which the travelling fans let Vince and his players know how they felt.
And the Shay boss is keen for his players to ensure there is no repeat this evening.
"I do not like it when we have been beaten," he said.
"And I do not like the verbal volleys I received and the players received after our last game against Harrogate.
"We do not want to go through that again."
Town should have gained plenty of confidence from their 1-1 draw at Durham and Harrogate should provide few surprises tonight.
"We have played them twice this season so know exactly what to expect," said Vince.
"We know what Harrogate will do. We have to make sure that we do it better.
"Our performance levels have been spasmodic this season.
"We showed what we can do on Saturday, but we should have done that a long time ago."
Colwyn Bay travel to Chorley tonight while Newcastle Blue Star travel to Garforth Town. Ossett Albion entertain Mossley.
FC Halifax Town (from): Kennedy, Coo, Barras, Sutton, Adams, Hinsley, Allen, Evans, Baker, J Brown, Barnes, Peers, Stott, D Brown, Jemson, Senior.
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Last Updated:
10 March 2009 8:08 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Halifax