FC Halifax Town v Stockport County preview

Venue: The Shay

Date: Saturday, May 1

Kick-off: 3pm

Referee: Steven Copeland. Awarded Torquay two penalties when officiating in Town’s 3-2 win at Plainmoor in February. Also took charge of Town’s 1-1 draw against Notts County in November and their 2-2 draw against Sutton in March.

Odds: Halifax win 13/5, draw 11/4, Stockport win 17/20


Last five games

Halifax: Wrexham (h) L 4-0, King’s Lynn (h) W 4-2, Chesterfield (a) W 2-1, Bromley (h) L 2-1, Woking (h) W 1-0

Stockport: Wrexham (a) W 3-0, King’s Lynn (h) W 4-0, Maidenhead (h) D 2-2, Boreham Wood (a) W 3-0, King’s Lynn (a) W 4-0

 
Manager: Simon Rusk. Was appointed in January, having previously been under-23s coach at Brighton for six years, after three years as under-18s coach there.

Position: 4th

One to watch: Attacking midfielder John Rooney has scored 14 goals in 30 league appearances this season.


Match facts: Stockport are the joint highest scorers in the National League with 59 goals.

County are unbeaten in their last 12 games, winning eight of them.

Stockport have won five of their last six matches away from home, keeping four clean sheets in the process.

No side in the division has won more away games (11) or scored more away goals (36) than Stockport.

No team in the league has scored more home goals than Halifax (32).


Last time they met: Adam Thomas’ wonder goal sealed Stockport’s comeback as they won 2-1 in the second game of the season, with Jack Earing having put Town in the lead.


Saturday’s National League fixtures:

Torquay v Eastleigh

Woking v Weymouth

Wrexham v Solihull M

Barnet v Dag & Red

Altrincham v Notts Co

Halifax v Stockport

King’s Lynn v Maidenhead

Sutton Utd v Aldershot

Wealdstone v Yeovil

Hartlepool v Chesterfield