Newly elected Player of the Season Scott Garner fully believes that the Shaymen are ready to face the challenges of their remaining games this season. Especially with one eye on the play-offs at the start of May.
Chorley are the only team left to play in the regular season fixtures on Saturday, as the curtain ends on what has been a great season for anyone connected with FC Halifax Town.
After securing their play-off spot following the win against Curzon Ashton, Billy Heath’s side are fully equipped to form a real promotion challenge going into the competition, according to Garner.
“We are the form team in the league so we just have to challenge exactly as we have been doing. We’ve got the players that have been in this situation before so we are fully set up for the play-off challenge.
“At Kidderminster, away we got absolutely slaughtered but we were told ‘stay in the game, it will change’ and it did. The play-offs are the same. I know for a fact if we aren’t playing well for 20 minutes the manager won’t be panicking. He will be keeping us going, doing the right thing and it will come back in our favour.
“All of the lads have been involved in the play-offs so we’re ready for it, we are the team that people want to avoid”.
This wealth of experience will surely pay dividends to the Shaymen soon. For now, though, Garner will have to think about buying a bigger trophy cabinet following a fantastic season for himself.
The former Boston defender won a plethora of awards at the Presentation Evening after the Curzon game, including Players’ Player of the Year. For Garner, it was a privilege to receive so much recognition, in a season that he will never forget.
“It was an amazing feeling to collect those awards, especially the players’ player one that means a lot to me. You get that once in your career and it can never be taken away from me now. I’m proud of all the awards. I would have been happy with one or two but to collect that many was amazing.
“I had my family there to help me carry them back to the car so it was good for them to be there and see it. Everyone had a great day, it was a great win and topped it off with a great night. It was perfect for me.
“One award had eighteen nominees so to actually get picked out of that many is great. There were several people who deserved it so to be the one that was chosen means a lot”.
A busy evening at the Presentation more than made up for his absence on the pitch. It was a rare occurrence to see an injured Garner out of the side despite his consistency, although he is itching to be back in the side as soon as possible.
“I damaged my ribs a bit but they’re on the mend now, I’m hoping to be in training and fit for selection on Saturday onwards. I wouldn’t want to miss out even if I had broken my leg, I’m desperate to be back to fully fit mode. We’re in a good run of form so I want to hit the ground running when I’m back.
“I’m planning on being back this weekend, whether I’m playing or not I don’t know yet. I’m hoping to be fit and ready to go, ready for the play-offs”.
Even off the pitch, Garner continues to demonstrate his high levels of passion for the game and the club. Now, in what could be a period of Chorley fixtures depending on league positioning, Garner wants Town to start as they mean to go on.
“We have got a chance of playing them three times in a row so you want to beat them in the first game to get that psychological edge. Thinking ‘we’re better than you, we can beat you in the play-offs’, they’ll be fearing us more than we are fearing them”.
If you cannot make it to Chorley, there will be live match updates available on the Shaymen Wall along with live commentary on Shaymen Player HD.
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