MY ACCOUNT
While the Premier League reached its conclusion on Sunday, there is still plenty to play for elsewhere, not least the small matter of trying to reach the Football League.
Halifax Town and Chesterfield meet in the promotion play-offs on Tuesday evening at The Shay Stadium, hoping to take the first step.
Chesterfield finished seventh in the final standings, picking up 74 points from 44 games, while Halifax had claimed fourth spot by racking up 10 more points than Tuesday’s opponents.
Team News
Halifax’s Martin Woods is a major doubt for Tuesday’s game due to injury, while Jack Senior and Niall Maher are at risk of being replaced in the starting XI.
The trio of Javid Swaby-Neavin, Kieran Green and Harvey Gilmour could all come into the XI, while Billy Waters and Jordan Slew are expected to lead the line.
Chesterfield have no new injuries to contend with.
Kabongo Tshimanga remains on the sidelines through injury, so Paul Cook will need to hope the rest of his side can get the job done.
The stats
Halifax come into the contest in better form, having lost just two of their last 10 games in the National League, winning five in that run.
Chesterfield’s form has dipped in recent weeks, with Cook’s men triumphing in just two of their last 10 matches while losing six.
They did halt a three-game losing streak last weekend when securing a 0-0 draw against Woking.
Halifax have a solid record against Chesterfield, having won four and losing only one of the last six meetings between the two sides.
The Shaymen’s home record is a formidable one and they are currently unbeaten in 10 games, with eight of those ending in victory.
Chesterfield have won only two of their last 10 away outings and although four of those have been draws, the Spireites have lost their last three on the road, a run which includes a 2-0 defeat at Halifax on April 18.
Predictions
Peter Wild’s side may have lost their last game of the campaign but that came away at the hands of champions Stockport County.
Their home form will give them plenty of confidence ahead of kick-off, while they will also take encouragement from Chesterfield’s recent struggles.
The Spireites have lost three on the spin away from home — failing to score on two occasions — including against Tuesday’s opponents last month.
Wild has numerous options in the final third, and it looks like they will have too much class for Chesterfield on this occasion.
While the visiting squad is more experienced in a contest of this magnitude, they only picked up one point from their final four games and at this stage of the season, winning needs to be a habit.
Chesterfield have not won for a month, and that lack of belief should be evident on Tuesday evening.
