FC Halifax Town’s 2016-17 season got off to a fantastic start, with a 3-2 victory being clinched at Nuneaton via a Tom Denton debut hat-trick.
The summer signing bagged three goals to give the Shaymen maximum points in the sweltering heat at Liberty Way, and give the fans plenty to look forward to at the next game.
After the game ended, defender Cliff Moyo gave us his thoughts on the opening game of the campaign…
“You know what, it was a tough game. Especially coming to Nuneaton, we knew what to expect. What they did, was what we expected – passing the ball about. They wanted to play, so we just had to be big and horrible. And it paid off in the end, and with Denton getting three goals, it’s fantastic for him as well. Do it when it matters, score in the first game of the season. So it’s fantastic for us. I think the lads worked hard, worked all the way down to the ground, which is good. We’ve just got to keep it going now though.”
Moyo also gave his verdict on his own personal performance…
“I thought I had a steady game today. It was a difficult game to play in, I had to go back to basics, and just keep it simple and defend. There wasn’t much going up and down, which I would’ve liked to have done, but it was one of them games where you can’t step out of line too much otherwise you’re going to get caught out because they’re a good team. So, we had to go back to basics and work hard.”
With Kelvin Langsmeade’s header in the 75th minute reducing Nuneaton’s deficit to just the one goal, Moyo stated that defending the lead was the main priority for the Shaymen as the final whistle drew closer…
“You don’t want to keep attacking, because it’s an open game then. So, we had to keep shape and grind it out. Stop them, but obviously be effective when we can, and we had to be sensible about it, which I thought we did well. Obviously, they tried to do their little bits and bobs, but we just had to try and close them down. Just keep working and grind it out, which we did, which is fantastic.”
With Denton stealing the headlines with his stellar display up front, Moyo believes that he also benefited from the towering striker’s prowess.
“It’s good for the defenders, if we’re doing our job at the back. We try our best to stop as many goals as we can, or a clean sheet would be good, which unfortunately we didn’t get one today, but Denton was great up there, and Peniket and Burrow, and they’re getting the goals, which makes our jobs a little easier, which is good”
As always, the travelling Shaymen faithful showed their devotion and vocal support, something that Cliff appreciates greatly. Even more so, when the team rewards the fans with the victory…
“It’s crazy. When we’re defending, or attacking, and you need a goal and you can hear the fans, it’s fantastic. For me it’s nice. It’s a big club, that’s what I expected when I came here, that’s what I want to play under. You’ve got the fans behind you; they’re the 12th man as they say. Because when they’re behind your back, all you’ve got to do is give them a good performance on the pitch”
And with the second game of the season around the corner, Moyo knows what’s expected of the squad to keep themselves in the right mentality for the upcoming game…
“I think we have to keep our head down and carry on, don’t get too excited. With it being the first home game, it’ll be a big game for us, it’s our own turf, and we don’t want to lose there. Keep our heads down and go again; it’s a long season so I’m looking forward to it.”
FC Halifax Town return to action on Tuesday night at the Shay against Altrincham Town. Kick-off is at 19:45.
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