FC Halifax Town host Bishops Stortford on Saturday in one of the longest trips in the league this season.

The Hertfordshire club, only playing in the Blue Square Bet North due to the demise of Rushden and Diamonds, were the most northerly team in the southern section and have subsequently been made to switch divisions for the season.

Former England and Leicester City goalkeeper Ian Walker was at the helm for The Bishops at the start of the season but he has since been replaced by former Braintree Town manager Rod Stringer, a switch that has perhaps turned their season around.

Since his arrival in December, The Blues have only lost once, two weeks ago against Harrogate Town and have lifted as many as five places in the league since then.

The league's fourth top scorer, Dwight Gayle, is on Stortford's books with 17 goals this season since joining from Dagenham and Redbridge on loan.

The Shaymen dropped points for the first time in 2012 and for the first time in eight games on Tuesday night at home to Gainsborough Trinity, but the players are still fired up ahead of the most important phase of the season.

Town are level on points with second placed Stalybridge Celtic, but Celtic have a game in hand over Halifax. Both sides remain 12 points behind leaders Hyde despite games in hand.

The Bishops can also boast the team with the most nationalities in their squad with players from seven different countries, ranging from Scotland to Holland and Nigeria to Jamaica.

This will be the first time the clubs have met in Town's recent history and youcan stay up to date on Shaymen Player with live commentary from Adam Cheshire from 2:45pm

Joseph Speckman