Halifax Town manager Chris Millington has admitted he will have to shuffle his squad ahead of their crucial clash with Yeovil Town at The Shay on Saturday.
Following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday, the Shaymen remain in a strong position in the National League play-off race. However, injuries are mounting, leaving Millington with tough decisions to make.
Injury Concerns and Squad Rotation
Halifax have been hit by several long-term injuries, with Jo Cummings, Adan George, Will Smith, and Scott High all sidelined. Max Wright could also be added to that list after being forced off in midweek.
To bolster the squad, the club has secured the loan signing of midfielder Lewis Leigh from Bromley, with Millington hopeful of adding another new face before the weekend.
“I’ve got absolutely no doubt about the commitment and effort levels of this squad,” Millington said.
“What we’ve got to do is be shrewd about how we approach the game in terms of shape and game-plan, and we’ve got to be very, very considered in terms of team selection.
“This is a young group of players who aren’t fully physically developed yet. They’re not fully conditioned, all of them, to play in a 46-game National League season, and certainly not conditioned to playing back-to-back games on a pitch like The Shay.”
Despite the challenges, Halifax’s squad depth has shown promise, with Festus Arthur and Jack Jenkins stepping up in the win over Forest Green.
Pushing for the Play-Offs
Halifax are in a strong position to make a return to the Football League for the first time since 2002, and Millington is determined to maintain their momentum.
“We know that we can mix it with the best teams in the division,” he said. “We’ve just got to make sure we end up in the play-offs so that when the opportunity comes at the business end of the season, we’re in the mix.”
The team’s recent performances have been encouraging, but consistency remains key.
“We performed really well against York and were unlucky not to win,” Millington noted. “We missed a penalty against Rochdale, and with the chances we had, we should have won that one too.”
Writer’s View
Halifax are on the brink of something special, but their squad is being tested to its limits. Millington’s ability to rotate effectively will be crucial as the play-off battle heats up. If they can manage their fitness and form, this could be the season the Shaymen finally return to the Football League.
