FC Halifax Town’s opening National League home game against Hartlepool United has been moved from Monday 31 August to Tuesday 1 September, 19:45 BST, the club has confirmed. The change follows policing requirements for the revised date.
What happened?
The Shaymen’s curtain-raiser at The Shay was originally scheduled for the August Bank Holiday Monday slot. Instead, Mark Bower’s side will now face Hartlepool on the Tuesday evening, with kick-off at 19:45 BST. The fixture remains the club’s first home league outing of the 2026-27 season.
League standing: 8th in National League, 70 points from 46 games, 20 wins, 10 draws and 16 losses. Goals this season: 69 scored and 66 conceded, leaving the Shaymen with a +3 goal difference. They sit 38 points behind leaders York City.
Why it matters for FC Halifax Town
Moving the fixture disrupts the pre-season rhythm, yet it gives Bower extra days to finalise his squad before competitive action. The extra time can also help with rest and tactical tweaks, especially after the Shaymen’s recent run of two straight wins, including a 1-0 victory at Woking on 25 April 2026.
Recent form (last five): 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses (WWLLD, most recent first). The side is on a two-game winning streak heading into the rearranged tie. With 69 goals scored so far, the attack remains lively, though the defence has conceded 66 times.
What comes next?
The new date keeps the fixture inside the first month of the season, so the league table picture won’t shift dramatically. Bower will use the extra days to press for any late summer additions while keeping the core ready for Tuesday’s clash. Fans can still expect a full house at The Shay as Halifax look to build on their recent upturn.
The rearranged game is now the club’s second competitive fixture of the campaign, following the pre-season win that saw Trialist G restore a two-goal cushion late on. The Shaymen head into the Hartlepool tie on a high after back-to-back victories and a narrow away success at Woking.
