- Halifax Town are unbeaten in their last 5 home fixtures (W3, D2).
- South Shields have conceded an average of 2.60 goals per away game in all competitions.
- Halifax have averaged 2.00 goals scored and conceded 0.60 at home in all competitions.
An old-school contest on Saturday
National League North 2026 side Halifax Town welcome South Shields to the Shay for what promises to be an old-school cup game on Saturday.
Halifax Town have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five matches in all competitions, and enter this contest on the back of a two-game winning streak. They've drawn 1-1 at home to Boston United, beaten Solihull Moors 2-0 away, and hammered Gateshead 4-1 on home soil across their three most recent fixtures.
John McGrath has Halifax Town well-drilled, and they're often a tough team to beat. They play with a compact shape and have a structured build-up that allows them to dominate games, especially on home turf where they're unbeaten in five (W3, D2).
South Shields are South Shields' style personified.
South Shields have a width-first, direct style, and they make a real push on the wide areas, press in bursts and then release their players into the box. That is where Cedwyn Scott thrives, the livewire has three of South Shields' nine goals in their last five fixtures.
South Shields have won three and lost two of their last five in all competitions, and that run includes a 2-0 away win over Buxton in FA Cup Qualification 2026, and a 4-3 away defeat to Macclesfield FC in the National League North 2026 last time out. Their away form has been questionable to say the least, with two wins and three defeats in their last five. They average 1.60 scored per away day in all competitions, and 2.60 conceded, suggesting that this game will be open.
Halifax should edge a tight affair
With both teams claiming five wins, two draws and three defeats across their last ten matches, this contest has all the makings of an upset on paper. Halifax's home form and firepower should see them edge it though, but the direct play of South Shields will surely open this game up.
We're backing Halifax to win at 29/25, Over 2.5 goals at 57/100, and Both Teams to Score - Yes at 9/20, as the stats suggest that both are likely to get on the scoreboard at least.
