AFC Fylde: Fans Came Out In Force

FC Halifax Town capped off the season with a win over AFC Fylde. Captain Matty Brown spoke to Shaymen TV to give his thoughts.

He said: “We thought it was going to be a tough game today, and it was. We got the heads up that they were resting a few players. But it was players that were looking to prove a point. A good win over a team in the playoffs. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. The way we’ve approached this week and prepared for it. We’ve done everything professionally and we’ve seen that today”

Despite a bit of early pressure, by the end the Shaymen looked comfortable and worth the two goals. Brown was pleased with the result especially against one of the top sides.

He said: “We were under the cosh early doors. We scored at a good time, probably against the run of play. They seemed to sit back a little bit and we grew into the game. We went 2-0 up and we looked quite comfortable. They had a lot of the ball, side to side, it wasn’t really hurting us. I thought it was a good performance, and a professional one. In the last game of the season when you’re safe, it’s an easy to fizzle out of. We’ve beaten two top six teams in a matter of days. We’ve only once in seven. It’s important we won today and take it into next season.”

Brown opened the scoring on the 38^th minute before an own goal doubled the Shaymen’s lead. The captain was happy with his goal but was more pleased to get another clean sheet.

He said: “It’s always nice to score, but I’m bothered about the clean sheet. Especially in front of the fans today, they came out in force. They were a different class as they have been all season. It was nice to cap it off and give the fans a win to go home with today. I know there’s a bit of rivalry from the leagues below. Coming up against Fylde it’s always a bit edgy. It’s a one up for the fans.”

Town have lost just once against top six sides. A record that Brown is delighted to have but feels performances against other teams need to improve.

He said: “We get ourselves up for the big games and probably drop points in the mediocre ones. That’s where we need to improve next season. Get a little bit more consistency, we’ve been up and down. If you’re consistent then you’re going to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. You’ll be in that top seven places. It’s disappointing because the way we’re playing at the minute you’d fancy us to beat anyone on our day. Over the course of the season we haven’t deserved to be in that top seven.”

As the season comes to an end, the players get a few weeks off before returning for preseason in July. Brown is happy to get the rest after a long season.

He said: “Looking forward to eight weeks off. It’s been a long season. We’ve played a lot of games. It’s been a progression for the club even though it’s been frustrating at times. I think once you sit down and assess it, it has been a progression. As long as we keep going in the right direction.”