FC Halifax Town boss Chris Millington has warned Gateshead FC his side know just how good they are heading into the FA Trophy Final. The Shaymen manager was full of praise for Mike Williamson but warns the Heed boss his side will be ready for the occasion.
When asked what his message would be for Town's players, Millington told the Halifax Courier: "Make the most of the opportunity really because this is a one-off game and there's no second chance.
"As much as it's an amazing thing to win a cup final, especially on the biggest stage, it's soul destroying to lose cup finals, especially in that environment. We've got to do everything we can to make sure that we come away victorious.
READ MORE: Eddie Howe hails job Mike Williamson has done at Gateshead ahead of FA Trophy Final
"Gateshead are a really, really good footballing side. I remember watching them last season in the National League North away at Bradford Park Avenue and just thinking 'these are just a joy to watch', some of the football was fantastic.
"And they're even better this season. They've got Olley, Campbell, Bailey, Richardson and Aaron Martin up top who's effectively a Football League number nine. Maybe there's a bit of a doubt about how good they actually are, but we certainly don't.
"We've done the numbers, we've looked at the statistics, we've analysed them in-depth, we know exactly how good they are. But we're a very good National League team ourselves now.
"We've got the most clean sheets in the league, we finished the season very strongly, we've got a real solidity about us out of possession but we've now also begun to carry a real threat going forward.
"They'll also know they're in for a game. It's a one-off cup tie but I know that if we're at our best, then I'd rather be in our dugout than theirs."
The Shaymen have Jesse Debrah, Luke Summerfield, Jack Senior and Max Wright all back in contention to feature against the Heed with captain Tom Clarke also expected to feature.
"I think part of my job is always to be looking for areas where we can be better and stronger, so there are things that in a perfect world we'd be better off with," Millington added.
"But I've absolutely no complaints about the health of the squad and the situation we go into the final in."
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