FC Halifax Town vs Wealdstone | Match Preview.

Following a disappointing result in midweek, the Stones have the chance to return to winning ways as they travel to FC Halifax Town on Sunday.

The Basics

Date: Sunday, December 21

Venue: The Shay Stadium, Halifax, HX1 2YT

Competition: The Enterprise National League

Kick Off Time: 4:00 pm

Broadcast Information: The game will be available to watch live via DAZN

News From The Vale

Sam Cox was incredibly disappointing following Wealdstone’s loss in midweek. He called the performance a “wake-up call” and described it as “the most underwhelming performance we’ve given all season.” His full post-match reaction can be found here.

There has been a fair amount of movement amongst the playing squad since the Stones’ last game.

Most notably, Max Kretzschmar has departed the club. The midfielder made over 130 appearances for the Stones, scoring 25 goals during that period. You can read Max’s full goodbye message by clicking this link.

Sam Cox called Kretzschmar “a beacon of professionalism, integrity and positivity,” and everyone at Wealdstone Football Club wishes Max all the best for the future!

Whilst one midfielder is leaving the Vale, another is set to stay more permanently, as Terrell Agyemang’s loan from Morecambe has been extended until the end of the season! The 23-year-old has already made 11 appearances for the Stones.

Hubert Graczyk and Isaac Christie-Davies have also left the Vale in the past few days. Wealdstone Football Club thanks both players for their service and wishes them the best in their future endeavours.

In other news, the club’s official half season tickets are now available to purchase! Supporters can save 30% by purchasing the half season ticket instead of paying for each game individually.

The first game that the new half season ticket encompasses is the Stones’ massive Boxing Day clash with Boreham Wood. If you are unable to commit to buying a half season ticket, you can purchase an individual ticket for the game here.

The Opposition

Recent form: DLWWD

League Position: 10th

The Shaymen have an almost identical record to Sam Cox’s side this season, accumulating the same number of points and having the same goal difference, meaning Sunday’s contest should be very closely matched.

After a slow start to life under Adam Lakeland, in which the side lost three of their first four games,  Halifax Town’s form has been relatively streaky. They won almost every game between mid-September and mid-October, but recorded just one victory in November.

Like the Stones, they are currently four points off securing the playoff berth that Chris Millington achieved in his last two seasons at The Shay.

The manager - Adam Lakeland: 41-year-old Adam Lakeland started his managerial career in charge of Blackburn Rovers’ Women’s side when he was in his early twenties.

After four years with Rovers, Lakeland spent time as a coach at Curzon Ashton before landing the managerial role at Northwich Victoria, whom he guided to the playoff final in the seventh tier.

He spent four-and-a-half years at Farsley Celtic, where he won promotion from the seventh tier, before spending time in the National League North in charge of Curzon Ashton and King’s Lynn Town.

Lakeland had reasonably big boots to fill following Millington’s departure, but he has done a reasonable job so far. In fact, his win percentage is the exact same as Millington’s was last campaign.

The danger man - Will Harris: Halifax Town’s top scorer this season is former Sunderland youngster Will Harris, who is in red-hot form at the moment.

The 25-year-old arrived at the Shay in the summer in somewhat peculiar circumstances. He struggled for fitness and regular game time in the National League North last season, but ripped up the division during the 2023/24 campaign, netting 16 times in 45 games.

Harris has more than repaid the faith that the Shaymen have shown in him thus far. He has an impressive 11 goals in 25 games in all competitions this season, and he has provided five goals and assists in his last three league starts, including scoring a hat trick against Solihull Moors.

Can't make it to Halifax? You can join us in the clubhouse on Sunday from 3pm and watch it on our big screens with Happy Hour prices on drinks between 3:30 and 4pm!