The U’s are back on the road on Saturday, making the long trip to Yorkshire where they take on FC Halifax Town.

Last Time Out

Siju Odelusi and Finley Barbrook led the Sutton comeback as the U’s progressed to the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy through Nana Boateng’s deciding penalty.

A thrilling encounter with fellow National League side Ebbsfleet United would be kicked off with Boateng’s first half opener, completing a rapid counter attack after Jeremy Sivi had sliced open the Fleet’s backline with an inch-perfect pass, before goals at the start of the second half from Callum Harriott and Aaron Cosgrave threatened to shock Steve Morison’s side.

The visitors would have thought they had sealed a first victory since Harry Watling’s  opening match in charge when Harriott added a third goal just after the hour-mark, but the U’s ensured heads didn’t drop and displayed the mentality instilled in the team this season. Barbrook fizzed a spectacularly struck volley past Magnus Norman to pull a goal back with 16 minutes to go, before Eduino Vaz won was brought down in the box moments later, with Odelusi making no mistake from the resulting spot-kick to level the score and send the game to penalties.

Although the first two penalties would be slotted away, Harriott would go from hero to zero when he hit the crossbar, before Besart Topallaj secured the advantage. This lead would be extended when Jack Sims denied Toby Edser from 12 yards and Jack Wadham scored his own spot-kick, before Boateng finished what he started and dispatched from the spot to sent Sutton in the FA Trophy Fourth Round.

Watch the highlights here.

The Opposition

Since the Shaymen’s reformation in 2008 following the disseveration of the original Halifax Town AFC, FC Halifax Town have enjoyed a rapid rise up non-league, and found themselves back in the fifth tier after just five years. They would become a full time football club in 2018 and established themselves in the National League, remaining above the National League North ever since, but in recent years have been looking to defy the odds and reach the promised land of the Football League less than two decades after being established.

Three successive top half finishes under new manager Pete Wild included two play-off campaigns, with defeats in the eliminator round to Boreham Wood and Chesterfield seeing the Shaymen remain in the fifth tier, although they would win the 2023 FA Trophy under current boss Chris Millington, who had taken charge after Wild made the switch to Barrow the previous year. Under Millington, the Yorkshire-based outfit would reach the play-offs again in 2023/24, but again would defeated in the eliminator round, this time by Solihull Moors.

The Shaymen are certainly a side on a mission though, and have begun the current campaign in relatively positive form as they look to mount another promotion attempt. Millington’s side currently sit tenth in the Vanarama National League table, but will be looking to secure their first victory in five outings having drawn three and lost one of their last four.

Recent Form

Basford United 2-2 FC Halifax Town

FC Halifax Town 2-2 Leeds United Academy

FC Halifax Town 0-2 Southend United

Forest Green Rovers 1-1 FC Halifax Town

Yeovil Town 0-1 FC Halifax Town

FC Halifax Town 1-4 Middlesbrough Academy

The Manager

Chris Millington

A midfielder by trade in his playing days, Chris Millington had turned out for Manchester City as youngster before spells at York City and Crewe Alexandra before transitioning into coaching with stints with Altrincham’s Under-18’s and Stockport County’s Centre of Excellence, as well as taking over at Curzon Ashton in 2016.

He would briefly move to Croatia before joining up with Pete Wild for the first time, and they would together work in the Oldham Athletic academy before being promoted to the first team following the sackings of Frankie Bunn and Paul Scholes. Millington would later follow Wild to FC Halifax Town and remained as his right-hand man for three seasons. After Wild opted to depart in the summer for League Two side Barrow, Millington was chosen to fill the vacancy.

The 49-year old has subsequently guided the Shaymen to two play-off campaigns and an FA Trophy win in 2023, beating Gateshead in the final.

One to Watch

Jamie Cooke

Young midfielder Jamie Cooke has been something of a revelation since breaking out at The Shay, and will be full of confidence after scoring a brace on Tuesday night against Basford United.

A product of the Fleetwood Town academy, Cooke burst onto the scene while with the Fishermen and was picked up by Halifax after a compensation fee was paid to Colne, where he had previously spent a season.

Loan spells at FC United of Manchester, Matlock Town and Curzon Ashton would see him gain experience before returning to Halifax midway though the 2021/22 campaign, and he would subsequently impress during the following pre-season under newly appointed manager Chris Millington. Cooke would go on to feature at the highest level of his career so far, playing 35 times in all competitions as the Shaymen finished 11th in the National League, before contributing to Halifax’s run to the play-offs in the following season with three goals and five assists in 24 appearances.

Despite the Shaymen being defeated at the quarter-final stage, Cooke has continued his rise into one Millington’s most important players, and has started 16 of their 19 games so far this season, missing just one match through suspension.

Head-to-Head

Sutton United 1-0 FC Halifax Town (28/11/2020)

FC Halifax Town 1-0 Sutton United (03/03/2020)

Sutton United 0-1 FC Halifax Town (29/10/2019)

FC Halifax Town 0-1 Sutton United (22/12/2018)

Sutton United 1-1 FC Halifax Town (01/09/2018)

FC Halifax Town 1-0 Sutton United (10/04/2018)

Played for Both

Craig Clay

Former U’s midfielder Craig Clay played a handful of times for FC Halifax Town back in 2014, having arrived at The Shay on a one-month contract. He made his debut two days after joining against Cambridge United and went on to play four times for the club, before being released at the end of his short deal.

The 32-year old would enjoy a successful career in the lower leagues and turned out for Worksop United, Grimsby Town and Motherwell, before making over 200 appearances for Leyton Orient. After winning both the National League title and League Two title with the club over a six-year stint, Clay made the switch to the VBS Community Stadium and played 27 times for the U’s during the 2023/24 campaign, before being released following the club’s relegation back to the National League. The midfielder currently plays in the Scottish Championship with Dunfermline Athletic.

Team News

Will Davies has avoided a head injury despite going off in the first half against Ebbsfleet, and is set to be monitored regarding his availability for Tuesday night’s match.

Lewis Simper stepped up his recovery with another 45 minutes under his belt on the weekend against Ebbsfleet, while Ryan Jackson completed his first 90 minutes since returning.

Finally, Ashley Nadesan missed out on Saturday’s win due to illness, but should hopefully have recovered by the time the U’s make the trip up north.

You can watch Steve Morison’s full pre-match interview here.

Officials

James Bancroft is in his first season as a National League referee, having ended last season taking charge of the National League North play-off final between Brackley and Boston.

How to Follow

Video

With the match being midweek, a live stream on National League TV will be available to supporters worldwide by a purchasing a match pass here for £9.99.

Audio

Supporters will also be able to listen to all the action, with a Mixlr audio commentary being available and will be posted on social media accounts before kick-off.

At the Shay

All admission for this game is pay in cash at the turnstiles on the day. There are no advance ticket sales.

Sutton United supporters will be located in Block A of the East Stand via turnstile 15, which is a strictly cash turnstile.

Ticket Prices

Adult: £22

Concession: £19

Age 12-17: £10

Under 12s: £4

Disabled supporters pay admission prices as per their relevant age group. A carer, if required, is admitted free of charge. Please go to Reception for assistance.

Card payments can be made at the club reception, but cash admission through the turnstiles is strongly recommended to avoid delays.

Travel Update

By car: Leave the M62 at junction 24 and follow the signs for the A629 in to Halifax. On getting to the town bear right in to Shaw Hill and the ground is on the left.

Anyone who intends to drive back after the game should note that the M1 is scheduled to be closed overnight between junctions 14 and 11 (Milton Keynes and Luton), and also there is no interchange between the M1 and the M25. The A43/M40 route from the South Midlands is open as an alternative rather than the A1 which also has closures near Doncaster, but the M40 link to the M25 will be closed – you can use the A404/M4 as an alternative.

By rail: There is no route back after the game on Tuesday. In the afternoon there are direct Grand Central trains to Halifax from King’s Cross at 14.56 or 16.27, taking just under three hours. Turn left out of the station and the ground is about half a mile along on the right. Direct return trains on Wednesday morning are at 08.11 or 10.40. In both directions there are also LNER services needing a change at Leeds – check www.nationalrail.co.uk for more details.