Get the lowdown on Sutton’s Academy’s National League Cup Final opponents: FC Halifax Town. The Shaymen have had an impressive turnaround this season, finishing fourth in the National League Division North just two points shy of Guiseley in third place. This is a significant improvement from their joint bottom position with Boston United at the end of the 24/25 campaign, where they only managed to pick up 22 points out of a possible 72.
Halifax Town’s home record has been perfect this season, making them the only side in the league to be undefeated on their home patch. They also boast one of the best attacks with 51 goals scored, second only to Gateshead (57) and York City (70). The Shaymen were knocked out of the National League Cup in the second round last season by AFC Fylde, who went onto reach the semi-final stage.
Notably, Halifax Town have a successful history with this cup competition. They won it during the 2021/22 season after defeating Eastleigh 4-2 on penalties following a 0-0 draw in normal time. Additionally, they had an impressive run in the FA Youth Cup, reaching the third round proper and narrowly avoiding early exit through penalty shootouts.
The Shaymen have also secured revenge against AFC Fylde from their National League Cup defeat last season by defeating them 2-0 in a league match earlier this year. Their journey to the final has been marked by multiple penalty shootout victories, including in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the cup.
Jack Garside is nearing the end of his second full season at Halifax after joining in June 2024. He previously spent four years at Manchester City coaching various age groups before moving to AFC Fylde’s Women’s team as head coach, where he was sacked in November 2023 due to poor form. Despite a difficult first year, Garside has guided Halifax to a top-four finish and secured their place in the National League Cup Final.
In addition to their on-field success, the Shaymen have witnessed one of their own academy players, Carl Rushworth, achieving promotion to the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion. Rushworth was at Halifax’s academy from 2017 before transferring and has been a key player for the Sky Blues this season.
FC Halifax Town will be looking to win their second National League Cup title, while Sutton is eyeing up their first. The Shaymen have an extra couple of days than Sutton to prepare for the final, as they were last in action a week ago where they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Chester. Their recent form includes a 3-3 draw with Gateshead and a 1-1 draw against Chester.
