FC Halifax Town capped off the season with a win over AFC Fylde. Captain Matty Brown spoke to Shaymen TV to give his thoughts.
He said: โWe thought it was going to be a tough game today, and it was. We got the heads up that they were resting a few players. But it was players that were looking to prove a point. A good win over a team in the playoffs. We knew it wasnโt going to be easy. The way weโve approached this week and prepared for it. Weโve done everything professionally and weโve seen that todayโ
Despite a bit of early pressure, by the end the Shaymen looked comfortable and worth the two goals. Brown was pleased with the result especially against one of the top sides.
He said: โWe were under the cosh early doors. We scored at a good time, probably against the run of play. They seemed to sit back a little bit and we grew into the game. We went 2-0 up and we looked quite comfortable. They had a lot of the ball, side to side, it wasnโt really hurting us. I thought it was a good performance, and a professional one. In the last game of the season when youโre safe, itโs an easy to fizzle out of. Weโve beaten two top six teams in a matter of days. Weโve only once in seven. Itโs important we won today and take it into next season.โ
Brown opened the scoring on the 38th minute before an own goal doubled the Shaymenโs lead. The captain was happy with his goal but was more pleased to get another clean sheet.
He said: โItโs always nice to score, but Iโm bothered about the clean sheet. Especially in front of the fans today, they came out in force. They were a different class as they have been all season. It was nice to cap it off and give the fans a win to go home with today. I know thereโs a bit of rivalry from the leagues below. Coming up against Fylde itโs always a bit edgy. Itโs a one up for the fans.โ
Town have lost just once against top six sides. A record that Brown is delighted to have but feels performances against other teams need to improve.
He said: โWe get ourselves up for the big games and probably drop points in the mediocre ones. Thatโs where we need to improve next season. Get a little bit more consistency, weโve been up and down. If youโre consistent then youโre going to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. Youโll be in that top seven places. Itโs disappointing because the way weโre playing at the minute youโd fancy us to beat anyone on our day. Over the course of the season we havenโt deserved to be in that top seven.โ
As the season comes to an end, the players get a few weeks off before returning for preseason in July. Brown is happy to get the rest after a long season.
He said: โLooking forward to eight weeks off. Itโs been a long season. Weโve played a lot of games. Itโs been a progression for the club even though itโs been frustrating at times. I think once you sit down and assess it, it has been a progression. As long as we keep going in the right direction.โ
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