Halifax Town v Leamington

F.A. Trophy

15th December 2007 - The Shay

Kick Off 3pm

As Saturday approaches, the weather improves, and the next Town game grows closer, the dreams of an appearance at the new Wembley stadium, sometime in our lifetime, becomes more and more a reality.

This weekend see the Shaymen at home to Leamington, of the British Gas Business Southern League Midland Division.Not a million miles away from the type of team FA Cup opponents Evesham are, The Brakes take the journey on the back of a 2-0 reverse away at Romulus.

Chris Wilder will be left without the usual long term casualties, and added to the list of absentees for the tie is Cortez Belle - suspended after picking up his 5th yellow card of the season.

The Shaymen lost 3-0 at home to Exeter last weekend, and the manager has made his feelings on the game quite clear in the media.He made the players re-live their nightmare in a training session on Monday, hoping that by watching the game they would not revisit that sort of form again this season.Whether Chris Wilder decides to pick a team which is made up of fringe players or not remains to be seen, but Peter Atherton could get another 90 minutes under his belt, especially with no Belle or Quinn to choose from.

Darryn Stamp is likely to feature, as is Nicky Gray, who is continuing his comeback from a long term injury.Craig Mawson may also return between the sticks.

Leamington are likely to bring a good following to The Shay, and by all accounts are enjoying their FA Trophy journey, which the Shay faithful will be hoping firmly stops at 4.45pm on Saturday.A sure bet will be that the match between the 2 teams will also be complemented with a (vocal) battle between the fans on the terraces!

Steve Clifford