Yorkshire | Halifax Town fans dreaming of FA Cup run

Halifax Town v Exeter City preview

Exeter City visit Yorkshire in what has the potential to be a fantastic FA Cup tie

Author | Oliver W

Stadium | The Shay

Halifax come into this match in decent form having only lost once in their last six matches. Their most recent match was a credible 1-1 draw against York City. This positive run comes after a terrible start to the season.

View from the stands at Halifax v York

How did Halifax reach the stage of the competition?

They booked their place in the first round for the first time since 2022 with a 3-1 win over National League side Southport 3-1 at Haig Avenue, with two goals from Will Harris and one from Josh Hmami.

In that previous round, Halifax got off to a dream start, taking the lead inside four minutes when Will Harris finished from close range after Josh Hmami’s header came back off the bar. Angelo Cappello had sparked the move with an interception and a powerful run down the left. Southport hit back quickly as former Shaymen striker Jordan Slew combined with Sonny Hilton to set up James Simms for the equaliser. 

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Both sides continued to trade chances in an open first half, with Hmami striking the bar again and Cappello forcing a fine save from Chris Renshaw before Town went back in front. Cappello was involved once more, sending in a cross that Hmami headed past his former club to make it 2-1. Southport threatened through Slew and Hilton, but Sam Johnson stood firm in the Halifax goal to preserve the lead at the break.

The visitors strengthened their grip on the game early in the second half when Harris rose to meet Jay Turner-Cooke’s cross and nodded home his second of the afternoon. Southport tried to respond but struggled to find a way past a disciplined Halifax defence, while a series of bookings disrupted their rhythm. Late changes from both sides slowed the pace, and although the hosts kept pressing, Town managed the closing stages with composure.

A look at the team standing between Halifax and a place in the 2nd round

Exeter City are currently 18th in League but do come into this fixture on something of a high. They defeated local rivals Plymouth Argyle in their last game and then beat Arsenal's Under 21 side in the EFL Trophy.

Their manager is hoping they can build on the recent momentum, saying this in a recent press conference: "The important thing now is we get back to hard work on the training pitch and try and back that up with wins in the Vertu Trophy and then on Saturday in the FA Cup."