Interviews News
Interviews

Maidenhead United: A Good Point Away From Home

Posted by FC Halifax Town
Posted on Sun 7 Jan 2018
Posted in Interviews

Billy Heath believed a point apiece was a fair result following FC Halifax Townโ€™s 0-0 draw Maidenhead United at York Road.

Both sides showed resilient defensive performances and although Maidenhead had the better chances, the gaffer believed a draw was about right for both teams and is happy to take the point.

โ€˜Itโ€™s a good point. Any pointโ€™s good away from home. I thought it was a tough game. I was a bit disappointed with our first half performance I donโ€™t think we got close enough to them to competeย well enough. it was difficult going up the slope, thereโ€™s a big slope here.โ€™

โ€˜Second half we were going down the slope, we kicked on and slightly edged it second half. I think in the end a point apiece was a fair result.โ€™

A difficult game against a tough opposition which was not helped by the surface of the pitch which was notably not the smoothest of feels however Heath feels his side did well in such a hotly contested fixture.

โ€˜It was very tight, it was a very tight game. Two teams really putting pressure on each other and never really giving each other much rest bite. It wasnโ€™t a flowing game of football, it was very bitty, and I think the pitch dictated that at times, the pitch was very, very soft and cut up a bit.

โ€˜It was a tight game of football, I think both teams at the end were pleased not to lose it. I think we pushed second half, we were better second half.โ€™

Another away clean sheet following the Dover fixture recently and a massive boost to Heathโ€™s team would be the return of Matty Brown following his recent back problems and the manager knows just how important it is to have a player like Brown fit and available for selection although is wary of this being a recurring injury.

โ€˜Heโ€™s a big part of what weโ€™re trying to do. It was good to have Browny back today, heโ€™s not been stubborn heโ€™s just took his time to get into the game, but he did ever so well today did Browny. Itโ€™s his experience, last 15/20 minutes of the game today he used his experience really, really well.โ€™

โ€˜Heโ€™s an important player weโ€™re going to need to have a look at him before Tuesday because heโ€™s struggling with his back, this back problem, weโ€™re having to monitor him.โ€™

โ€˜Backs are, as everybody knows, backs are funny things and one minute they could clear up then the next day they could just be ongoing, and the problem is he appears to have felt a little bit of a twinge in it. Weโ€™ll have to speak to him tomorrow and see how he is for Tuesday.โ€™

Similarly, another massive boost for Heathโ€™s squad will be the return of dangerous winger Matty Kosylo who made his long-awaited return from injury, coming on for the last 20 minutes.

Kosylo has been out of the squad for many weeks with a knee injury but Heath is delighted to finally have him back in contention and may be in line to start on Tuesday against Macclesfield.

โ€˜Itโ€™s been a long time, heโ€™s only done two sessions, full sessions, heโ€™s done quite a few part sessions, but heโ€™s done two full sessions now and it was always our mind set today to get Kossy, give him some part of the game.โ€™

โ€˜Itโ€™s good to have him backโ€™

However, itโ€™s not all good news on the injury front as Heath will once again be without full back Michael Duckworth, who had just made his own return from an injury setback, as he looks to be out of action for around 4 weeks as he suffered a twisted ankle in the half time warm up.

โ€˜The biggest disappointment of the day is losing Michael Duckworth without even getting on the pitch, have to have a wry smile or I might do something else.โ€™

โ€˜Heโ€™s turned his ankle and it doesnโ€™t look great.โ€™

Injuries have plagued Heath and Halifax this season, with multiple first team players having to miss significant parts of the season so far and has often left the gaffer with difficult decisions to make.

Tuesday will be no different and Heath knows the squad is a lot thinner than he wouldโ€™ve liked going into a cup game and what couldโ€™ve been the chance to give some fringe players some much needed minutes.

Weโ€™re not in that privileged a position to be thinking about making changes and changes because โ€˜itโ€™s the cup weโ€™re not in that position when we only have 16 players fit.โ€™

Looking ahead to the cup game as Halifax take on familiar opposition from this Christmas period in the form of Macclesfield Town in the FA Trophy and Heath says he will approach this game as if it is any other and has his mind set on advancing to the next round where another game against Maidenhead awaits.

โ€˜Itโ€™s another game, itโ€™s one we want to win, weโ€™re back home. Weโ€™ve done a lot of traveling this month, itโ€™s been a lot of work for the players with the traveling. Itโ€™s a game that we want to win and get back to the Shay and look to put a good performance in against a top team in the league.โ€™

To watch the full interview with the boss, or for more post-match reaction from skipper Matty Brown and Matty Kosylo, head on over to Shayman TV.

 

Read more posts by FC Halifax Town

Our
Principal
Partners
Our
Football
Partners
0
0