Heath highlighted goal scorers Matty Kosylo and Richard Peniket as the evenings key performers along with giving credit to stand-in goalkeeper Tom Nicholson for maintaining focus to make the key saves that kept Town in the hot-seat.
“I don’t think anyone can say we didn’t deserve the win tonight”, he told Shaymen Player HD. “The result was important but the performance was good as well and I thought we played really well.
“The only disappointment was the goal but that is only a minor disappointment on the day.”
The Shaymen lined up for the first time under Heath with a five-at-the-back formation with Garner, Hone and Hotte chosen as the three central defenders. Man of the Match Kosylo’s commanding role in attacking-midfield constantly helped to turn Chorley’s pressure on the hefty back line into a Halifax attack, as was the case for both goals.
“Switching the formation to three centre-half with very little preparation is hard and the players were magnificent to adapt to that.
“It is always a gamble but we have not been picking up results playing 433 or 442 so we looked and the players we have got and we thought Kosylo would excel in that role behind the strikers, which he did.
“He stretched them, he got us up the pitch at times and he was direct. When he gets moving he is very difficult to stop. He has a low centre of gravity and for a small guy he is very strong.”
“It is a shame that by the end Peniket had ran out of steam and Kosylo was still nursing his calf injury.”
After Kosylo’s spot-kick opened the scoring, Peniket was to the man to double Town’s lead but could have had more had he taken key chances early on in the game.
“Peniket had a fantastic chance before the goal and I am really pleased for him because he is a very good player and you can never question his desire or his commitment.
“We waited after he missed the chance to see how he would collect himself and I was so pleased for him and the team when he got the second goal.
“It isn’t just Richard though. What we haven’t been doing when we have been on top is scoring goals. You have to get the goals when you’re dominating.”
Along with those trying to hit the net, Heath was also impressed with the man doing all he could to stop Chorley from hitting it.
“Tom was outstanding tonight.”, he said. “He did nothing wrong. He can play at this level, he has all the attributed and I’m really please for him.
“He made some key saves at key moments. He tipped one over the bar quite nonchalantly like he was on the playground. He eased the pressure for us.”
Due to Danny Hone’s suspension, the Shaymen will likely have to change their winning system against Tamworth and revert back to four in defence. However, Heath is hopeful that Town’s bad run of fortune has finally come to an end.
“The problem for us is we have Danny Hone suspended so we might have to look at things again.
“It’s just disappointing that we have to change the team again. You need that cohesion. To do well you have to have constant players in the team but sadly that’s not what we’ll have to do.
“Let’s hope it’s the start of a big run. Chorley are up there for a reason and it’s a great result. Every three points in this league is a big win. We have no divine right to win Football matches.
“Tamworth are in good form. We know it’s a big month for us. I’m still disappointed about Stalybridge because I think we did easily enough to win the game. I hope the tide has turned a little bit.”
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