FC Halifax Town travel to Cheltenham Town this Saturday with manager John McGrath believing his side has a genuine opportunity to cause an FA Cup upset. The National League side, currently 10th in the table with 24 points from 16 games, are guaranteed £25,175 in prize money for reaching the first round, with a further £53,150 available if they can defeat their League Two hosts.

McGrath's confidence comes despite a 4-3 home defeat to Nottingham Forest U21s in the National League Cup on Tuesday night. "We've got to put Tuesday night to bed," the manager said, drawing a parallel to a recent league performance. "I think we've got a real chance."

Morgan-Smith's familiar foe

Forward Amari Morgan-Smith, 37, provides a unique link to the opposition, having won promotion from the National League with Cheltenham back in 2016. The experienced striker, who scored in that 7-1 win at The Shay that season, is eager to make an impact against his former club. He has previous FA Cup pedigree, reaching the fourth round with Kidderminster Harriers in both 2014 and 2022, and would relish scoring a winner at Whaddon Road.

Morgan-Smith netted in the midweek cup defeat, one of 28 goals Halifax have scored in the league this season. He believes the gap between the National League and League Two is surmountable if his team performs on the day. The squad's morale is reportedly high, with McGrath praising a group that contains "no big egos" and is capable of bouncing back from setbacks.

Squad news and league context

Defender Shaun Hobson is fit for selection after being rested with a minor knee issue, while loanee Lucas Houghton is eligible to feature. Captain Cody Johnson is suspended for the subsequent league game at Kidderminster Harriers but is available for the cup tie. Halifax's recent form has been mixed, with two wins, a draw, and two defeats in their last five outings, a sequence you can review on our fixtures page.

The financial incentive is significant, but McGrath stressed the primary motivation is testing themselves against higher-level opposition. A victory would see Halifax reach the FA Cup second round for the first time in four years. Their next assignment is a key National League trip to face 13th-placed Kidderminster Harriers on November 14.

More detail at brighouseecho.co.uk