Stalybridge Celtic are FC Halifax Town’s next opponents of 2017 as the two sides clash at Bower Fold on Saturday afternoon.
After the 2-2 draw with Darlington, the Shaymen will be looking for a win yet again, after 9 games without seeing themselves on the right side of a score line.
We spoke to Josh Wilde on his thoughts looking ahead to the trip to Stalybridge…
“Obviously, we’re looking to build on a good performance. We’ve not been where we should be as of late. But, I think we were a bit better in the second game against Darlo. Some goals, from a set-piece, they’re not really an independent defensive error; it’s more of a team error as we’re all defending. I’m not taking anything away from the team, because there are goals that defenders’ faults. But I think as a team, we do need to be bit more ruthless and keep the ball out of our net a lot better.”
Adam Morgan bagged yet another brace against the Quakers taking his Shaymen tally to four so far within just two games in a Halifax shirt. The recent signing is someone Wilde believes will be a key factor to Shaymen success…
“Adam gives us a different option when we get the ball. He’s looking to get it to his feet and in behind and I think that’s what we were missing – a ball behind for someone to chase at times. It just opens it up a bit more. For me, it can come a bit easier for defences that we play sometimes, because they know Dents isn’t going to do that running in behind, whereas now they’ve got more to worry about, so it’s a big help. Scored four goals already in two games, he’s doing really well so long may it continue.”
Stalybridge find themselves in a gloomy 21st place, eleven points from safety. Halifax sit in 9th but despite this gap between the two clubs, Wilde knows that himself and his teammates must keep their wits about them…
“Stalybridge are always a physical side, very strong. They’re near the bottom so they want to win as much as we do. So again, it’s going to be another tough game but if we improve slightly like we did against Darlo second time out, then I think we’ll have enough and should come out with a win. We’ve just got to keep pushing and working hard and it should come, so just got to keep going.”
Despite the 9th place position, Halifax are only six points off the playoffs with two games in hand. Wilde believes that Halifax are still worthy promotion candidates and believes the side have what it takes to get right back amongst the high-flyers…
“We’re still there and thereabouts. To be honest, I wouldn’t have expected us to be in much more of a different position than we are now. This league, this season, is frightening really with some of the teams in it. Some good teams, with big budgets, and they’re all wanting the same thing – to get to the playoffs and get promoted. We’re still right in the mix, but you’d rather have points on the board than games in hand. If we just improve slightly there’s no reason why we can’t get two wins and we’ll be straight back in there. I think we just need a win to improve confidence and to take a bit of pressure off. Just one win will hopefully spiral us onto another run which is what we’re all trying to aim for.”
FC Halifax Town travel to Stalybridge Celtic this Saturday with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
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