Although FC Halifax Town may not have got the result they wanted when Stockport County battled out for a 0-0 draw at the MBi Shay Stadium, defender Josh Wilde believes it was a long overdue clean sheet for Billy Heath’s men, who haven’t kept one in the league since November.
The 2-0 win over Kidderminster Harriers earlier in the season was the last time that The Shaymen defence managed to stop any league goals going in, an eight-game streak that Wilde was happy to see end.
“We were very pleased with the clean sheet today, thought we defended as a team right from the front. Pressing right from the top and that just makes it go right through the team. We need to keep going and more clean sheets are needed. We are trying to work on it all the time in training and everything else so it was pleasing to get one today.”
It was almost the perfect afternoon as Halifax came by far the closest to breaking the deadlock, particularly in a barnstorming second half which saw several glaring opportunities go begging.
Adam Morgan had several shots from range which troubled Ben Hinchcliffe in the Stockport goal including one thunderous effort from around 40-yards out that rattled off the crossbar. Elsewhere Richard Peniket, Matthew Kosylo and Liam King all had chances to give their side the lead and Wilde admits he was bewildered that Halifax didn’t go ahead.
“I’m not quite sure how a goal didn’t go in to be honest. I thought we played well second half, they perhaps edged it in the first but in the second half we played good. We had a couple of chances with Kosylo and King but it’s just one of them games. Overall it was probably a fair result.”
As the left-back explained, the home side were certainly the better of the two teams in the second half and had County penned into their own penalty box for much of the game.
This made ample opportunity for Wilde and his fellow full-back Kevin Roberts to push forward and join the attack, a feature which the 24-year old states need to be continued in future Shaymen attacks.
“Today they didn’t have an out and out wide man on my side so that freed me up, which meant I had to get on the ball to try and pull someone out of position and free someone else up. So, we need to keep getting on the attack, pressurising them. The more we can get forward the more the harder it’s going to be for them. I enjoy getting forward, Roberts enjoys it so every time we can we will.”
When fans await the team news they must be fully expecting Wilde to line upon the left side of defence every game as he has done just that in each league game this season.
The mantel of ‘Mr. Consistency’ is a huge compliment that can be given to the former North Ferriby United man and it is something he remains keen on maintaining.
“The lads and the manager always say I’m doing really well and that I’m consistent. It’s a good thing to have and I’ll obviously keep trying my hardest, I think I played every game last season as well so I’ll just keep trying to play as many games as I can and all I can do is my best, hopefully that will be enough for the team.”
The next game that Wilde will be hoping to showcase his talents in is the Tuesday night game against Alfreton Town on January 31st.
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