FC HALIFAX Town accept both their players and pitch face a tough test over the next three months.

With fixtures already piling up – Neil Aspin’s fifth-placed Blue Square North side have played four fewer games than leaders Chester – Shay chiefs are desperate Saturday’s FA Trophy second-round home clash with Maidstone United goes ahead.

It would be helpful to avoid a replay as well, because Tuesday’s scheduled league visit of Altrincham is the first of eight midweek matches between now and the end of February.

Halifax also have to fit in a West Riding FA County Cup second-round home clash with Ossett Town.

The club have played only seven league games on a Shay pitch which is owned and maintained by Calderdale Council and will soon be used for rugby league matches as well, and director Bobby Ham admits that’s a big frustration.

“We can’t control the weather, but the pitch does have a drainage problem,” he said.

“It’s difficult to find space to do the necessary improvement work between the football and rugby seasons.

“Losing games is a problem, because we still have to pay the players and the bills, even though there are no gate receipts.”

Halifax are seeking an eighth straight wins in all competitions against Maidstone, of the Ryman (Isthmian) League.