Shaymen striker expecting a battle against Tamworth

[FF News]

Shaun Tuton says that FC Halifax Town should be prepared to face a tough test when they play National League North opponents Tamworth in the FA Trophy 1st Round.

Town head into the clash on the back of an unbeaten league run of three matches, while Tamworth - who occupy sixth place in the sixth tier of English Football – are on a fine run of form which has seen The Lambs record three consecutive victories during a seven game unbeaten streak.

“They are a lower league side so you can always expect a battle,” said Tuton, “There are going to be some players in their side that if Jim Harvey ends up staying on as manager, he might be interested in signing.

“It’s going to be a good battle in that way, plus they are going to be like us, wanting to get as far into the competition as they can with them being a lower league team.”

The inform striker - who has found the net seven times in the last four games - stressed that while The Shaymen need to prioritise their league form, continuing to pick up positive results can only help keep confidence high in the dressing room.

“We have to concentrate on the league, that’s our main priority, but obviously we have to take every game as it comes.

“It’s important for us to go and win on Saturday to keep our spirits up in the changing room and keep our confidence at the same level of where it’s been over the last few games.

“I know we got a draw at the weekend but we didn’t lose, we still managed to get something out of it. For us to carry on winning will keep all the boy’s confidence and spirits high.”

The 23-year-old says that a run of four successive home games at The MBi Shay provides Town with a chance to make home advantage count, although he does have concerns over the welfare of the pitch, the result of recent bad weather.

“Playing at home is massive, because our fans are great and that is where we get most of our support. You can always hear them on an away trip but The Shay is always a good place to play.

“The ground is taking a bit of a hammering at the minute with the bad weather, so it will be good to have a couple of away games and let the pitch have a bit of a rest as well.”

While getting out of the relegation zone may be Town’s main concern, Tuton can’t help but be enticed by the prospect of Wembley outing if his side can make it all the way to the FA Trophy Final.

“Any cup always excites a player if you can go on and get to Wembley. A lot of the boys probably aren’t going to get the opportunity to ever play at Wembley in their football career.

“It would be a big thing for all the players if we could get to the final and play at Wembley.”

Source: www.halifaxafc.co.uk

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