FC Halifax Town captain Matty Brown wants his side to have a strong finish to their season. The Shaymen sit comfortably in mid table ahead of their trip to league leaders Leyton Orient on Saturday. The 29 year old defender is keen to take some momentum into next season’s campaign. Speaking to halifaxcourier “we want to finish as high as we can, we don’t want it to just fizzle out”.

• Sit 16th on 51 points
• One win in last five games – W1  D2  L2
• Only lost two of their last ten games – W4  D4  L2
• League Record – P41  W11  D18  L12  F35  A36

Jamie Fullarton’s men arrive in E10 on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Maidenhead last weekend. A Ayo Obileye penalty 18 minutes from time inflicted their second defeat in their last four games. Fullarton bemoaned his sides performance and felt it was a game too far for his squad. Speaking to FChalifax.com “we’re bitterly disappointed. I think the performance also showed a level of apathy. Individually and collectively we let ourselves down. The performance, the events of last week, having two games and the impact of a limited squad”.

Last Six Results

Following two positive results against promotion contenders, their performance against Maidenhead was of stark contrast. With their National League status almost confirmed for another season, Brown emphasised the importance returning to their level of performance at Orient on Saturday. Speaking to halifaxcourier “people are playing for contracts whether it’s here or elsewhere. There is no comfy slippers on in our dressing room. We reiterate this all the time. Good teams bounce back so hopefully we can. It wasn’t good enough all round last week, it wasn’t like us”.

• Failed to score in 16 league games (seven away)
• Only Aldershot and Maidstone have scored fewer goals
• Failed to score in last two games
• Scored in five of their last seven games
• Scored in last four away games

After promotion back to the National League in 2017, The Shaymen should beat last seasons tally in the remaining games. With just five games left of the season, Brown is keen for his side to end the season on a positive note to take into the start of next season. Speaking to halifaxcourier “we’ve been on a good run of late and we don’t forget what we’ve done well in past few weeks. We’ve put ourselves in a good position, it would be a shame to see season out in casual fashion. We need to keep applying ourselves and finish strong because it goes into next season”.

• Kept 18 league clean sheets (six away)
• Only Wrexham (20) have kept more in the National League
• Only Leyton Orient, Wrexham and AFC Fylde have conceded fewer league goals
• Kept two in last three games
• Conceded just one goal in last 270 minutes of football
• Kept ten clean sheets in 15 league games in 2019

The Shaymen have competed well against the promotion contenders, losing just two of their 11 games against the current top seven. After beating Solihull Moors just two weeks ago, Jamie Fullarton wouldn’t be surprised if his side pick up a result in the Capital. Speaking to halifaxcourier “I don’t think it would be a shock result for us to get something, they’re flying high and they’ve been consistent throughout the season. So we’re not deluded in thinking how difficult it could be. We’ve shown over a reasonable period of time that we’re capable of winning any game against any team in league”.

• Only scored two or more goals in two of their last 16 league games
• Scored 25/35 league goals in second half – including 14/16 away goals
• Have netted 20 goals in final 30 minutes of matches
• Seven of their last nine goals have been in second half

With a large crowd expected at the Breyer Group Stadium on Saturday, midfielder Cameron King is keen for his side to match Orient. Halifax have only lost to Salford away from home in the top seven and King wants his side to continue that form. Speaking to Halifaxtown.com “it’ll be a tough one, they’re flying and need a win. We had momentum before the last game, so we need to go there and really pic it back up. I feel we do pick ourselves up for big teams and match them, so that’s what we’ll be looking to do”.

• Away League Record – P20  W4  D8  L8  F16  A26
• Only three teams have taken fewer points on their travels (Aldershot, Havant and Braintree)
• No win in last two
• Won two of their last eight away games – W2  D3  L3
• Not lost back to back away games since August

Team News

Winger Ben Tomlinson remains out with a quad injury while Michael Duckworth and Niall Maher are also out with muscle injury. Ryan Sellers is set to be out for the rest of the season after seeing a specialist.

Fullarton to Halifaxcourier “we’re down to 16 players but other people’s misfortune gives others an opportunity. It’s up to the players to show they merit it in last five games and moving into next season”.

Head to Head – FC Halifax 5, Draw 5, Leyton Orient 11

Includes record before their reformation back in 2008

The Last Eight Meetings Between Sides

• FC Halifax have only won one of the last 13 meetings – W1  D4  L8
• FC Halifax have only won one of their last seven meetings to Brisbane Road – W1  L6
• Both teams have scored in last four games

Last Time Out – 30/03/2019 – FC Halifax 0-1 Maidenhead

Starting 11 vs Maidenhead

Prediction – Leyton Orient 2-0 FC Halifax