FC Halifax Town midfielder Shiraz Khan says heโll try and take every opportunity that comes his way after being handed another substitute appearance in the Shaymenโs 4-1 FA Trophy defeat to Maidenhead United at The MBi Shay Stadium.
Moses Emmanuel and Harry Pritchard both hit braces after Matty Kosyloโs early opener as 2016 champions Halifax fell out of the competition at the second-round stage and their dreams of returning to Wembley fell short.
Khan made his FA Trophy debut after replacing Kosylo in the 80th minute and was bright in his brief cameo with a stunning dribble past three defenders from the half-way line to the by-line a rare moment of quality in a disappointing second-half showing.
The Halifax-born winger acknowledges that he must impress when the opportunities in the first-team picture come his way.
โIโve had to be patient and wait for when I got the opportunity and then I try and take it with both hands,โ Khan told ShaymenTV.
โIโve been told that I did well when I came on so thatโs a positive. The gaffer said when I was coming on, โbe positiveโ.
โThat was the first thing that came to my mind, and I thought โIโm just going to run with it and see what happens!โโ
The 20-year-old, who progressed through the clubโs under-19โs side, has had stints out on loan at Colne FC and Trafford FC earlier this season and described the experience as vital to his development as a player.
โThe loan spell has benefited me a lot,โ he continued, โbecause Iโve been able to get game-time, and play in menโs football which is completely different to the youth team.โ
โGoing out on loan has been a massive benefit for me personally to help me learn the game. And then, playing here (for Halifax) is a completely different level to that.โ
โFirst-team football is a lot faster, in terms of the pace of the game as well as the physicality. Itโs just a matter of getting used to it and the more minutes I get, the more I can get used to it and I can try kick on from there.โ
โThe aim is to try and kick on now. Iโm not sure how long it will take but Iโll keep working hard to try and cement a place in the first-team.โ
Head over to Shaymen TV now to watch the full and exclusive interview with Shiraz Khan as well as interviews with manager Billy Heath and midfielder Danny Clarke.
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