Oldham Athletic are preparing for their first play-off game in almost 20 years.

 

The low-down on Oldham Athletic’s play-off opponents Halifax

Mike Fondop scored twice in a 4-2 win that knocked Halifax out of the FA Cup earlier this season

Oldham Athletic are preparing for their first play-off game in almost 20 years.

 

And in Wednesday night’s National League eliminator they will face Halifax Town for the fourth time this season, and the third time at Boundary Park.

 

The teams have already met twice in the league and once in the FA Cup, when Latics ran out 4-2 winners to earn a place in the first round proper.

 

Oldham are unbeaten against the Shaymen this season, with a point away and two wins at home.

 

But what can Latics expect from this latest meeting?

 

The Oldham Times’ Latics reporter Suzanne Geldard spoke to the Halifax Courier’s Halifax Town reporter Tom Scargill to see how the Shaymen were shaping up ahead of the big game.

 

What is the mood like in the Halifax camp?

 

TS: I think there’s an appreciation that, despite injuries, the end to the season overall wasn’t good enough and they need to get back to their best for the play-offs.

 

Manager Chris Millington and some of his players are looking to put right what went wrong in the play-offs last season, when they went 3-0 down in a disastrous first-half at Solihull, eventually losing 4-2.

 

I think they really do fancy their chances in the play-offs. There’s an acceptance that they’re the underdogs in the play-offs, and they have the lowest budget, but they don’t see that as being an insurmountable obstacle.

 

Halifax boss Chris Millington is a former assistant manager of Oldham Athletic

Halifax boss Chris Millington is a former assistant manager of Oldham Athletic.

 

What is the expectation for another play-off campaign?

 

TS: Among the players and staff, I think it would be at least to go one better than last season and win a game in the play-offs, if not to get to the final or even get promoted, as they have high expectations of themselves, despite their restrictions and constraints.

 

Among the fans, I think the injuries the team have suffered has restricted expectations. With a fully fit squad I think a lot of fans would feel they could go all the way but missing the key players they are, I think most fans might feel they’ll fall at the first hurdle again, but wouldn’t necessarily blame anyone for that but Lady Luck.

 

How did Halifax end the regular season? What were performances like?

 

TS: Pretty poor to be honest. They beat Fylde 1-0 with a really good display and there were positives in the victory over Braintree that sealed a play-off place but other than that, they stumbled over the line really. The pitch at the Shay didn’t help but the main reason was injuries and having to bring in so many new players – it was like a pre-season in the final quarter of the campaign

 

Unfortunately, they weren’t really able to replace like-for-like in terms of quality – understandable at such short notice and with limited funds – but they had enough to get them over the line. The question now is whether they have enough to go all the way in the play-offs.

 

Will Halifax take anything from the previous three meetings this season?

 

TS: I think they will, insomuch as motivation for it not to happen again. Especially the FA Cup tie, which was a nightmare from Town’s point of view, with the game being over before half-time. I think they’ll look back on that and think ‘we can’t afford anything like that to happen again’.

 

Are there any injury concerns/suspensions?

 

TS: I’m afraid so! Sam Johnson, who went off injured in the league game at Boundary Park, should be back on Wednesday, as should on loan forward Daniel Nkrumah. On loan midfielder Scott High is on his way back, but it’s not known whether he’ll be fit enough to start or not. Striker Adan George might be fit enough for the bench. Other than that, the likes of Will Smith, Jack Evans, Festus Arthur, Jo Cummings and Max Wright are all definitely out.

 

Who is Halifax’s one to watch, and why?

TS: I’d say Luca Thomas, who scored an incredible goal from inside his own half at Wealdstone on the final day. He was on loan at York earlier this season – from Leeds – and definitely has an x-factor about him in terms of technique and ball control. He’s missed a few chances since joining Town on loan but has also shown he’s capable of finding the net. He’ll be Town’s biggest goal threat.

 

What is the likely line up and formation?

 

TS: 3-4-3 – Johnson; Emmanuel, Senior, Galvin; Pugh, Jenkins, Hoti, Cappello; Cooke, Nkrumah, Thomas.

 

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