FC Halifax Town host Nottingham Forest U21 in the National League Cup group stage at The Shay on Tuesday evening. The match kicks off at 7pm local time.

Their recent form shows three wins, one draw and one loss from their last five outings. That sequence includes a 4-1 victory over Gateshead and a 3-2 win against South Shields, though they were edged out 3-2 by Barrow last time out in a match where Ben Tollitt scored twice.

Recent form

Halifax's last starting lineup, from the 2-2 draw at Southend, featured T. Grant in goal behind a defence including M. Bardell, W. Flint and S. Hobson. Midfielders T. Trusty and C. Allen provided the platform for forwards W. Hugill, C. Carty and A. Morgan-Smith. Morgan-Smith was on the scoresheet in that game, with T. Trusty netting a late equaliser. The team's recent results show a 4-2 win over Stoke City U21 and a 2-0 victory at Solihull Moors, contributing to a current run of three wins and a draw from their last five league games.

Nottingham Forest's development squad, managed by Warren Joyce, approach the game after a 1-0 loss to Wealdstone in their last National League Cup outing. Their previous starting XI included A. Bott in goal and attackers F. Smith and K. Thompson. The young Forest side have won one of their last five matches in all competitions, securing a 2-1 victory over Scunthorpe United in the EFL Trophy.

Team context

This cup match offers a chance for Halifax to build momentum ahead of their next league assignment, which is at home to Yeovil Town on Saturday 31 October. The Shaymen have scored 26 goals in the league this season but have also conceded 20. Their top scorer in all competitions this term, Adan George, is searching for his first goal of the campaign, a situation mirrored by the club's league top scorer S. Johnson, who has yet to score in 10 appearances. The team's immediate focus after Tuesday will shift back to the league, where they currently trail leaders Boreham Wood by 20 points. The full standings are available online.

Halifax have a strong recent record in the National League Cup, having reached the semi-finals last season before being eliminated by eventual winners Scunthorpe United. The club has also confirmed that Tuesday's match will be segregated, with away supporters allocated a section of the North Stand. Tickets remain on sale from the club's ticket office and online.

The National League Cup group stage fixture against Forest U21 begins at 7pm on Tuesday, 3 November at The Shay.