Altrincham v FC Halifax Town preview
Venue: Moss Lane
Date: Tuesday, December 26
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: James Westgate has shown 22 yellow cards but no red cards in six National League game this season. He took charge of Altrincham's 1-1 home draw with Kidderminster on October 24 and Town's 1-1 draw at Solihull on August 25 in what is his first season officiating at this level.
Odds: Altrincham 19/20, draw 5/2, Halifax 14/5
In the league this season
Altrincham: PL23 W10 D9 L4 F44 A32 GD12 Pts39
Halifax: PL24 W9 D9 L6 F28 A23 GD5 Pts36
Last five games
Altrincham: Rochdale (a) L 3-0, Solihull (h) W 6-1, Halifax (FAT a) D 0-0 (won on penalties), Fylde (h) W 2-1, Bromley (a) D 2-2
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Hide AdHalifax: Fylde (h) D 2-2, Aldershot (a) L 1-0, Altrincham (FAT h) D 0-0 (lost on penalties), Gateshead (a) W 2-0, Rochdale (h) D 2-2
Scorers
Altrincham: Conn-Clarke (13), Amaluzor (6), Linney (5), Newby (4), Angus (3), Baines (3), Donawa (3), Banks, Cooper, Jones, Marriott, Dackers
Halifax: Alli (6) Harker (4), Senior (4), Hoti (2), Cosgrave (2), Thomson-Sommers, Evans, Cummings, Summerfield, Keane, Cappello, Golden, Wright, Hunter, Stott
Manager: Phil Parkinson was appointed in April 2017 and guided The Robins to two promotions in three seasons. His successful stint at Altrincham has seen him linked with some bigger clubs and establish a reputation as one of the best managers in non-league. Parkinson took Nantwich to FA Trophy semi-finals in 2016, when they lost to Halifax, and also lost to The Shaymen in last season's semi-finals.
Last season: 17th in National League
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Hide AdOne to watch: Attacking midfielder Chris Conn-Clarke was terrific on loan from Fleetwood last season and is now back at the club permanently. His signing was considered a coup for The Robins and that has been proven right with a strong start to the season, showing he is capable of scoring and creating goals regularly at this level.
Head-to-head: Played 27, Altrincham wins 6, draws 10, Halifax wins 11
Last time they met: Altrincham gained a measure of revenge for last season's FA Trophy semi-final defeat by knocking Halifax out of the competition on penalties on December 12.
Match facts: Halifax have the best defensive record in the National League this season, conceding just 23 goals.
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Hide AdChris Conn-Clarke has scored 10 goals in his last 13 league appearances.
No team has conceded as few away goals in the fifth tier this season as Halifax (11)
Only Chesterfield and Aldershot have scored more home goals this season in the National League than Altrincham (26)
Altrincham are unbeaten in their last seven home matches and have scored in every home game this season.
Boxing Day National League fixtures:
Aldershot Town v Woking
Altrincham v FC Halifax Town
Boreham Wood v Kidderminster Harriers
Dagenham & Redbridge v Eastleigh
Dorking Wanderers v Oxford City
Ebbsfleet United v Bromley
Gateshead v York City
Hartlepool United v Oldham Athletic
Maidenhead United v Wealdstone
Rochdale v AFC Fylde
Solihull Moors v Chesterfield
Southend United v Barnet