FC Halifax Town: Captain Wroe expecting a close contest

Halifax are two divisions higher than their hosts, with the two legs taking place this Saturday at The Weaver Stadium and next Saturday at The Shay.

Wroe admits Town are favourites going into the game, but is anticipating a closely-fought contest against The Dabbers, who knocked out Dover in the last round.

“They’re underdogs and with it being over two legs they’ll be looking to stay in the game,” he said..

“We’ll be looking to do the same, not giving too much away and giving ourselves a chance for the second-leg.

“But having said that, we’ll still be going there positive and looking to score and win the game.

“We go into it favourites but we’ll fully expect a tough game.

“We’ll be under no illusions. It’ll probably be more difficult than the average league game.

“I think you’ll maybe see a bit of a cautious game down there, neither team will want to throw it away, make early mistakes and give the other team an advantage.

“We’ll be wanting to go home with an advantage but they’ll be wanting to nick one at home and try to give themselves something to cling onto.”

Wroe is calling on his team-mates to build on their upturn in fortunes since Jim Harvey’s appointment, and grasp the opportunity of the club’s first ever Wembley final.

“The last few months have been a massive turnaround,” he said, “the lads have got together and really dug in, worked hard and got ourselves into a lot more of a positive position.

“It’s a great achievement getting into the semi-finals but now the opportunity’s there for us and we need to stand up and be counted and make sure we take it.

“You don’t get many opportunities in your career to get to Wembley but this is a big chance for us.”

The Town skipper accepts recent performances have been disappointing, with the club heading into the tie on the back of underwhelming displays against Southport and Bromley.

“I think we’ve gone to places where the pitches have not been great, it’s not suited us,” he said.

“We’ve probably played better football against better footballing sides.

“We’ve gone to a few teams that have been dogged and it’s been really scrappy, the pitches have not been great.

“We’ll hopefully go there, the pitch won’t be too bad and we’ll then take them back to The Shay in a positive manner.”