Hatfield relishing FA Cup clash

Travel to Saturday’s game at The Shay is available via the Supporters’ Club

After Guiseley came from behind to rescue a point in Saturday’s 1-1 draw to Boreham Wood at Nethermoor, Will Hatfield is looking forward to this weekend’s FA Cup clash with FC Halifax Town.

Nicky Boshell’s calm and collected spot kick late on cancelled out Clovis Kamdjo’s headed effort that gave the visitors the lead earlier in the second half.

Hatfield had scored in the build-up to Boshell’s penalty but, when the referee opted to instead give the spot-kick, the substitute salvaged a draw for Mark Bower’s side ahead of Saturday’s West Yorkshire derby.

Hatfield told Richard Potter: “It was the same old story really and a game of two halves – I thought first half we were really good, created some really good chances and as I say, same old story, we didn’t take our chances again.

“In the second half we started sloppy and it continued that way for the majority of the half. It was really disappointing conceding from a set piece but we got the goal our first half probably warranted – we probably did deserve a point.”

On being denied his second goal for the Lions, Hatfield added: “I was a bit disappointed because I took it inside, hit a good strike but, as I was shooting, one of their guys has obviously come and tried to bring me down. So seeing it fly in the net but at the same time hearing the whistle as well, it was just unfortunate.

“But Nick is always confident with penalties, we’re always confident to score them with Nicky on the pitch, he’s said thank you to me so I’ll let him have that one.”

Hatfield’s only goal for the Lions came in the win against former club Halifax in the Vanarama National League at Nethermoor last month.

The midfielder spent the second half of last season playing for the Shaymen and Saturday’s fourth qualifying round clash represents the first opportunity for him to return to Halifax since leaving, although Hatfield is paying little attention to his former club’s current struggle for form.

“I’m really looking forward to it, as soon as we heard about it we were all pretty pleased, it’s going to be a great game, a great atmosphere,” he continued.

“They’re on a bit of a bad run at the moment but it’s the FA Cup so everything goes out the window and it will be two teams battling hard against each other to get through to the next round. It’s a big competition so form will go out the window like I’ve said and it’ll be a good battle.

“But we’ll go there with confidence and hopefully we can get through to the next round.”

Next Up:

7:30 pm
Pre-Season Friendly

Guiseley vs Harrogate Town