Boston United v FC Halifax Town preview

FC Halifax Town could move into the play-off places in the National League North when they meet Boston United on Saturday (3pm).
Jason St Juste is one of the former Halifax players in the Boston squad.Jason St Juste is one of the former Halifax players in the Boston squad.
Jason St Juste is one of the former Halifax players in the Boston squad.

Town are one point and one place below the top five, and depending on other results, could rise up into the play-off spots with a draw or a win at Boston.

Defender Kevin Roberts is rated “very doubtful” due to an abductor muscle strain he suffered in the dying stages of last Saturday’s win at Harrogate.

Cliff Moyo is set to deputise if Roberts misses out.

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Matty Kosylo has been given the all-clear by his surgeon and was expected to do a light training session on Thursday.

“He’s chomping at the bit to get going but we have to be sensible with him,” Heath said.

Heath is planning to play Matty Brown in some under 21 games rather than sending him out on loan.

“It was nice to have him back on the bench (at Harrogate) but he’s not there yet,” said the Town chief.

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“I don’t want to be putting him in the team unless he’s played some games.

“He’s looking good in training - fit and strong - but training’s one thing and playing is another.”

Fellow defender Danny Hone will be out for at least another three weeks.

The Pilgrims have won only four of their 14 league games this season and are the fifth-lowest scorers in the division.

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They won only once in their first eight games of the season, and are without a win in their last three games after losing only one of their six games in September.

But they recorded an impressive 3-3 draw at Salford City last time out.

Former Halifax players in the squad at Boston include winger Jason St Juste, who also played for Billy Heath at North Ferriby, striker Waide Fairhurst and defender Nat Brown, although he will miss the game through injury.

If Halifax win on Saturday, it will be the first time the club will have won six games in a row since December 2012.

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Only four teams have conceded fewer goals in the Conference North than Halifax, while only four teams have scored more.

Halifax won 2-1 on their last visit to York Street in 2013 en route to clinching promotion from the Conference North thanks to goals from Chris Worsley and Alex Titchiner.

That win extended Halifax’s unbeaten away league run to nine games, setting a new club record which was extended to 11 before a defeat at Altrincham.

Boston reached the Conference North play-offs last season before losing to Heath’s North Ferriby in the semi-finals.

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Halifax’s Scott Garner is a former Boston captain who spent three seasons at the Lincolnshire club.

Saturday’s National League North fixtures:

AFC Fylde v Harrogate Town

Altrincham v Telford

Boston United v Halifax

Brackley Town v Curzon Ashton

Chorley v Stockport

Darlington v Worcester City

Gainsborough Trinity v Nuneaton

Gloucester City v Bradford Park Avenue

Kidderminster v FC United of Manchester

Salford City v Tamworth

Stalybridge Celtic v Alfreton