By Rupe
April 3 2002

After Halifax Town's second relegation to the Conference league. We preview this weekend's forthcoming game against Hartlepool with a few stats and a short reveiw of recent games.

With this weekends forthcoming match against Hartlepool United, we at Shaymen.org bring you a recent history of matches between the two sides since the Shaymen regained their league status for the first time.

Last 7 games: W L W D L D L.

As you can see, the Shaymen's record against Hartlepool since they regained league status in 1998 is not too clever, with only two wins.

Their first one came in the first season back at home. A game that was televised live on Sky. Kevin Hulme and super Geoff Horsfield got town's goals in a 2-1 success, which unfortunately was followed with a 2-0 defeat when the two teams later met at Victoria Park.

The following season started well and town came away from Victoria Park with three points after winning 2-0, with goals from Paul Stoneman and Steven Murphy, which was only their 11th win in 52 games at Hartlepool. Town followed this rare away win at Hartlepool with a 1-1 draw at home later in the season, with John Cullen bagging the Shaymen's goal.

Town's first game against Hartlepool in 2000-2001 season was at home and unfortunately they lost 1-0, although they faired a little better in the return match later in the season, by gaining a valuable away point in a 1-1 draw thanks to a goal from on loan Michael Proctor.

I'm sure there will be no gasps of surprise when I tell you that the Shaymen lost 3-0 earlier this season at Victoria Park, with the shocking away form in this our relegation season, their misery compounded with the sending off of Craig Middleton.

Here is a complete record against Hartlepool:

                P    W    D    L        F        A

HOME      53   39    5    9      104      42

AWAY      54   11   12  32       51     106

TOTAL    107   50   17  41     155     148

 

As you can see, our home record is pretty impressive with only 9 defeats, and with our current upturn in home form we have every chance of keeping that record intact. I realise the players will be smarting after Monday's relegation, but now is the time for everybody involved with the club to stand up and be counted. Starting with the players, they need to get out on that pitch on Saturday and show everybody what they are capable of (we have seen the odd glimpse this season)! I also feel it is important for the fans to unite behind the players and sing and cheer and clap them through the full 90 minutes, after all it will probably be just us die hards for the last two home games. Unless of course, the morbid people of "rugby town" Halifax come in their droves to the Rushden game so they can say "I was at the last league game that Halifax Town played after their second relegation"!

We may be relegated but there is still alot of pride to be played for, and who knows, we could carry a good run through to next season. When was the last time we did that?

See ya Saturday. Come on Shaymen!!!