hris Wilder's men return to the Shay on Tuesday evening after the disappointment of defeat on the road against high-flying Torquay United. Their visitors are Northwich Victoria who are currently languishing at the foot of the League Table, having picked up just one point so far this season, in a 3-3 draw at home to Droylsden.

Last season, however, the Vics proved a bit of a bogey side for the Shaymen as they completed the double over us. On their own turf, they recovered a 2-0 half-time deficit, to pip us 3-2 in a game that turned on the performance of Vics substitute, loanee Felix Bastians, who would later be loaned to ourselves, of course. The corresponding home fixture proved equally depressing as the Vics ground out a 2-0 win at The Shay, with goals from Matthew Shaw and Paul Brayson.

A Bit About Our Opponents

Formed in 1874, the club were briefly members of the Second Division from 1892 to 1894, but otherwise played in various regional leagues becoming a founder member of yet another league, when the Alliance Premier League, remaining there right up until 2005, the last club to be ever-present in the league. They had actually been 'relegated' the season before, but due to various circumstances including the bankruptcy of Telford United and Hucknall Town's ground not being good enough, they were allowed to remain. Their subsequent entry into administration and 10 point deduction was amazingly overcome and the team finished in 19th place, only to be voluntarily demoted from the Conference National due to legal problems related to their administration.

In the 2005/2006 FA Cup, Northwich reached the 3rd round with over 4,000 fans travelling to Sunderland to watch the game. After an honourable fight, Northwich were defeated 3-0 and the team received huge applause from their fans. However at the end of the season, compensation came in the form of the Conference North Championship. In the penultimate game the team beat their nearest rivals, Stafford Rangers, in front of more than 3,000 supporters to guarantee an immediate return to the Conference National.


Stats of the Day

Overall Record Against Northwich Victoria

P22 W7 D5 L10 F27 A35

Last 10 Town v Northwich

Sat 3 Mar 2007 H League L 0-2
Sat 4 Nov 2006 A League L 2-3 Forrest, Torpey
Sat 27 Nov 2004 A League W 2-1 Quinn, Killeen
Sat 15 Jan 2005 H Trophy L 0-1
Sat 26 Feb 2005 H League D 2-2 Midgley, Mansaram
Sat 06 Sep 2003 H League W 5-3 Midgley, Lee, Killeen (2), Elam
Sun 26 Oct 2003 A F.A. Cup L 0-1
Sat 29 Nov 2003 A League W 1-0 Bushell
Mon 26 Aug 2002 H League L 0-5
Sat 25 Jan 2003 A League W 2-0 Clarkson, Quailey

Town Home Form So Far:

Altrincham D 2-2
Histon D 0-0
Droylsden W 3-0
Woking W 1-0

Northwich Away Form So Far:

Ebbsfleet L 1-2
Crawley L 1-2
Farsley Celtic L 1-2
Aldershot L 0-5


All the odds for the game can be found at Shaymenbet


Next Match

Town will be back at The Shay again on Saturday 22nd September, when we entertain Rushden & Diamonds.

By Jez Serlin.

The official site is looking for someone to write the match previews from the York City match. If you have some spare time and would like to help out each match, please contact kellygilchrist@halifaxafc.co.uk