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Newcastle Blue Star v FC Halifax Town: Town battling for a psychological edge
AS manager Jim Vince quite rightly said earlier this month, there will be plenty of twists and turns before the season ends.
And every one of Town's remaining eight games acquires increased significance as the campaign reaches its climax.
There is always the feeling that matches against your closest rivals are doubly important - a chance to get a psychological advantage - and the Shaymen face Newcastle Blue Star in such a clash tomorrow.
Nothing will be decided whoever wins but, with the games coming thick and fast between now and the end of next month, points are vital.
Newcastle were in action in midweek, coming from behind to beat Ossett Albion 4-2 at Kingston Park, a result that dented the West Yorkshire side's hopes of a top five finish.
It also extended the Tynesiders' current run to six wins from their last seven league games as they play catch up on the leading sides in Unibond One North.
Remarkably, including tomorrow, Newcastle have 13 games still to play before they complete their league campaign.
But with both Colwyn Bay and Skelmersdale United to play twice they can take nothing for granted in their pursuit of promotion.
Nor can the Shaymen, as was shown last weekend when in-form Woodley Sports came to the Shay and returned to Stockport with the points.
Few expected them to beat Town, but then no one was banking on such a disappointing showing from Vince's side.
Injuries have left the Halifax squad in tatters, with more than half a dozen players who would be virtually automatic picks currently sidelined.
But the fact remains that those players who are left standing are, man for man, probably the best in the division.
And virtually the same squad that lost to Woodley last weekend had drawn at league leaders Durham seven days earlier, playing the home side off the pitch.
Tomorrow's game will be the first between Halifax and Newcastle in the north east but they did meet earlier in the season at the Shay when Town were forced to come from behind to claim a 3-3 draw.
The Shaymen had led twice in the game, 1-0 through Paul Gedman and 2-1 thanks to a Tom Baker strike, but needed a 90th-minute Danny Ellis goal to take a share of the spoils.
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Weather for Halifax
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -5 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
