Evesham United v Halifax Town

F.A. Cup 4th Qualifying round

Saturday 27th October

St George's Lane (Worcester City)

Kick Off -3.00pm

Chris Wilder takes his men 2 and a half hours down the M6 this Saturday to Worcester, to take on minnows Evesham United in an attempt to qualify for the 1st round proper of this season's F.A.Cup.

Town are red hot favourites to pass through this game unscathed, and although not having the best of luck in some recent league games, The Shaymen will be looking towards a convincing victory to take them through to the next stages of the competition, and also provide them with a much needed confidence boost.

Evesham, a mid-table outfit in the British Gas Business Midlands League Division One, are 7 divisions below Halifax Town, and have claimed 12 points in 7 games.Recently they beat Bromsgrove Rovers 1-0 via a goal from top scorer Mark Owen from the penalty spot, and he's been singled out to be the man to cause Town the most problems this Saturday.

The Shaymen will be without the injured Andy Campbell, ruled out until the New Year, Rob Scott is also sidelined, and Jake Wright misses the game through suspension, as does Anthony Griffith.Loanees Adam Legzdins and Simon Heslop have been made available by their clubs to play for Town in the cup this year, so Chris Wilder has his strongest side to choose from for a number of weeks.

The biggest boost for Town comes in the fact that Jon Shaw is in line for a return to the side, after being suspended due to his red card in the 2-2 draw away at Cambridge United.

Wilder may look to give run-outs to some of the fringe players in this one, although many of the travelling Town faithful will be hoping that a strong side is selected to sew the game up, before giving anyone else a chance to show what they can do.

The winners of this one can expect a windfall of £10,000 to take in to the next round, where teams such as Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and Tranmere Rovers - all big money-spinners in the 1st round proper - will be in the velvet bag.

The Shaymen are 4/7 to take this game, and at 66/1 for a 5-0 Town win is worth a punt on Bet365.

Steve Clifford