FC Halifax Town travel to Roots Hall to face Southend United this Saturday, with manager Chris McGrath set to name an unchanged side from their recent FA Cup victory. The visitors, currently 10th in the National League with 20 points from 13 games, are on a four-match winning run across all competitions. Their last outing was a 3-2 win over South Shields in the FA Cup on October 17, a result that extended their unbeaten streak to ten matches. Southend, sitting third in the table, are looking to bounce back from a shock FA Cup exit to Berkhamsted.
McGrath is pleased with his team's settled style of play and the consistency of his selections. The defensive partnership of Will Flint and Shaun Hobson has been a foundation, while Ben Tollitt, who scored in the 4-2 win over Stoke City U21 on October 13, has secured the wide left role. In midfield, Cody Johnson, Trusty, and Will Hugill provide options, and Cruz Allen has impressed in the number ten position following an injury to Zak. Conor Carty's increasing goal threat and work-rate have also drawn praise from the manager. The team's recent form is built on a solid structure, having scored 22 goals this season while conceding 15, a key factor in their current position. Their recent form in the league reads four wins and a draw from their last five matches, a sequence that includes a 4-1 victory over Gateshead on October 10 and a 2-0 win at Solihull Moors on October 3.
Southend boss Kieron Dyer has pledged to field his strongest XI after making nine changes for the cup defeat. He told supporters to direct their frustration at him, not his players. "Yes, be angry, you pay good money, you can boo," Dyer said. "But the toxic comments and stuff like that, aim them at me. Don't aim at the players." He added that his experimentation with squad rotation would now stop.
The fixture is a key test for Halifax's promotion ambitions, with the side currently 15 points behind league leaders Boreham Wood. McGrath's side will aim to continue their momentum, with their goal minutes showing a pattern of scoring in key phases of their recent victories. Saturday's match at Roots Hall kicks off at 3pm. The team's record of six wins, two draws, and five losses from their 13 league games has them in mid-table, but their current form suggests a climb is possible. Top scorer S. Johnson, however, will be looking to open his account this season, having made ten appearances without a goal.
Southend United are attempting to rearrange a league fixture for November 7 following their FA Cup exit, manager Kieron Dyer confirmed on October 24. "We're trying, especially with the Tuesday night games we have," Dyer said. "We're looking at who is out of the FA Cup and who we could fit in there." The club did not confirm which games were under consideration. Halifax, 10th in the National League with 20 points, visit Southend on October 24.
