Havant and Waterlooville v FC Halifax Town preview

The Shaymen bounced back from their underwhelming defeat to Eastleigh last Saturday with a battling draw against high-flying Solihull on Tuesday night.

And Fullarton wants to take that level of performance into their clash on the south coast.

When asked whether the Solihull game would have any bearing on the match, he said: “When we talk about results, it’s performances we really look at, because they give you a better chance of having consistent results.

“With the performance on Tuesday, and the reaction to a disappointing performance and result last Saturday, I’m not surprised by the reaction, because I work with them every day, and I brought most of them in.

“So there is an expectation that they would have a reaction like that, and they didn’t disappoint from that aspect.

“But it’s important that we continue on Saturday, because the games come thick and fast, and it’s important that we recover, rest and prepare properly ready to go again.”

Fullarton confirmed defender Joe Skarz suffered a concussion in the 1-0 defeat to Eastleigh on Saturday.

“He’s got to go through the FA steps regarding how he feels to move onto the next stage and then the next stage, that’s how it works.

“So we won’t know until Friday where he’s at for Saturday.”

Fullarton also said Jordan Preston was out of action with a muscle strain, while Michael Duckworth was suffering with an ankle injury.

Havant beat Maidenhead 7-0 at home in midweek - only their third league win of the season - after the visitor’s keeper was sent-off in the first-half and an outfield player had to go in goal.

But Fullarton doesn’t think that result will have too much impact on Saturday’s match.

“Not really,” he said, “it’s a different game, different opposition, different challenge.

“Whilst you look at the division and where they’re at, their results show they’ve been beaten by the odd goal, particularly at home.

“They won promotion under Lee Bradbury, who I played with and know very well. He’s done great there.

“He’s been there a length of time and he’s had that time to build and play the way he wants to play, which is unusual in football these days.

“And they reaped the rewards by gaining promotion.

“Whilst you might look at where they are in the league, I think their last result, to score and win by that amount, you never can take it into account either way, because you’ve got to put it into context of the game.

“But I don’t think it will have any bearing on what happens on Saturday.

“Obviously they’ll have a bit of confidence after the result, as will we.

“I might have one or two back, amplifying our squad, and we’re looking forward to going down there.

“It will be a difficult game. Looking at their home record, and how they’ve done with the teams at the top of the league when they’ve gone there, there’s never more than a goal in it really.

“So we’re not under any illusion that it’s going to be an easy game, as none are for different reasons.”

Fullarton is good friends with Havant boss Lee Bradbury, having played with him at Crystal Palace.

“He’s a good person, and he was decent to play with,” Fullarton said.

“It’ll be good to see him. We had a good group of players there (at Palace).

“I’ve been in contact with him since he’s been there in terms of, when he’s played up north in the FA Cup, to facilitate some training facilities when I was at Notts County.

“They lost the game so he probably didn’t thank me for them!

“But it’ll be good to see him, obviously after the game!”

Saturday’s National League fixtures:

AFC Fylde v Leyton Orient

Aldershot Town v Braintree Town

Barnet v Maidstone United

Bromley v Hartlepool United

Dover Athletic v Maidenhead United

Eastleigh v Salford City

Ebbsfleet United v Barrow

Harrogate Town v Chesterfield

Havant & Waterlooville v FC Halifax Town

Solihull Moors v Boreham Wood

Sutton United v Dagenham & Redbridge

Wrexham v Gateshead