Match preview: FC Halifax Town (h)

The Spireites are back in action on Tuesday afternoon against FC Halifax Town. It’s a top of the table clash as Chesterfield sit at the top, while Halifax are immediately below. James Rowe and the lads will be hoping they can put on a show in front of the Spireites faithful at the Technique Stadium. 

Here’s all you need to know…

Date: December 28, 2021

Kick-off: 3pm

Competition: Vanarama National League

Opponents: FC Halifax Town

Where: Technique Stadium

Tickets

Purchase your tickets online here: https://tickets.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/en-gb/categories/match

A Covid Secure Area is also available for this fixture, if you are purchasing a ticket in this area, you will be placed in a socially distanced seat, face masks will be compulsory (unless exempt) and there will be a one-way system throughout the area. If you would like to purchase a ticket(s) in this area, please book your seats in blocks 1 and 2 in the Karen Child Community (East) Stand. 

Subject to availability, tickets will be sold online and in person right up until kick-off from the Club Superstore and the ticket windows. They can also be purchased over the phone – 01246269300.

Away tickets can be purchased here: https://tickets.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/en-gb/categories/match (BLOCK N3) 

Live radio commentary

Our in-house radio station, 1866 Sport, will provide commentary of all our National League games over the 2021/22 season. Supporters will be able to listen to full match commentary on the game, as well as pre-match/post-match analysis. 

Don’t forget that 1866 Sport is on air 24-hours a day, seven days a week! 

You can download the app from the Apple Store here: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1866-sport/id1580041321

If you’re an Android user, you can download the app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radio.ma57501030

Alternatively, you can listen online here: https://streaming.radio.co/s47db4a4f3/listen          

It is also available via Alexa.

Commentary is provided by Phil Tooley. It is sponsored by iDeal Flooring – check out their website here: https://www.chesterfieldcarpets.com

Social media

Our official Twitter page (https://twitter.com/ChesterfieldFC) will provide regular updates on the match. It is also the place to find our exclusive goal GIFs, which are used when a player scores a goal. 

Key news will also be posted on our Facebook page, which can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/ChesterfieldFC.

Our official Instagram page will keep you posted with key moments and content throughout the day on our stories: https://www.instagram.com/chesterfieldfc/?hl=en.

The post-match interview with manager James Rowe will be posted to our YouTube Channel soon after the game is finished: https://youtube.com/user/OfficialChesterfield.

Highlights of the game will also be posted to our YouTube Channel. 

James Rowe will look to play his strongest XI for this fixture and with some faces returning from the treatment table, it’s sure to be an interesting line-up.

Akwasi Asante will grab the headlines in the build-up to this fixture, after Rowe revealed the striker is back at “full fitness” ahead of the big clash. The striker has been out injured for around nine months so will be looking for some minutes on the pitch.

Kabongo Tshimanga will be looking to continue his fine goalscoring record, while Stefan Payne and Nathan Tyson will be fighting for their places in the squad.

Gaving Gunning and Laurence Maguire could also be nearing full fitness, so they could potentially feature in the squad.

Meanwhile, Curtis Weston and Manny Oyeleke will hope to keep their place in central midfield.

Fact file

Name: FC Halifax Town

Nicknames: The Shaymen

Founded: 2008 (reformed)

Stadium: The Shay

Capacity: 14,061

Manager: Pete Wild

On FC Halifax Town

Huge tax debts buried Halifax Town AFC after almost 100 years. The club was then reformed as FC Halifax Town in 2008 and has been fighting their way back up the football pyramid ever since. 

Halifax have been floating in and around the National League for several years and have endured several campaigns fighting for promotion. They went close in the 2019/20 season, finishing in the play-offs, but subsequently losing to Boreham Wood in the semi-finals.

This season Halifax are once again pushing for promotion to the Football League, as they currently sit in second place. 

One to watch

Jordan Slew is a former Spireites striker, renowned for his lightning quick pace. He played for Chesterfield back in 2016, making seven appearances. He signed for FC Halifax Town earlier this year and has made 22 appearances and scored eight goals so far. His former clubs include Sheffield United, Blackburn Rovers and Rotherham United.

The Spireites’ last three: (D/W/W)

Drew – Chesterfield 2-2 Altrincham – National League

Won – Salford City 0-2 Chesterfield – FA Cup 

Won – Grimsby Town 0-1 Chesterfield – National League

The Wood’s last three: (L/W/W)

Lost – Kidderminster Harriers 2-0 Halifax – FA Cup 

Won – Wealdstone 0-1 Halifax – National League 

Won – Halifax 2-0 King’s Lynn Town – National League 

The last time the Spireites faced the Shaymen was last season, when the Blues claimed a victory at The Shay to leapfrog FC Halifax Town into a play-off position.