FC Halifax Town boss Billy Heath has outlined that his side are feeling disappointed to not have competed over a longer period of time as FC Halifax Town exited the Emirates FA Cup following a 2-0 defeat to Eastleigh in the second round replay.
Goals from Scott Wilson and a penalty from Mikael Mandron towards the end of the first half ensured that the Spitfires progressed to a third round meeting with Championship outfit Brentford FC.
Despite the result, Heath believes that his players can be proud of their efforts in what were difficult circumstances at the MBi Shay Stadium.
“I thought that for 35 minutes we were comfortable, we looked the most dangerous. We looked solid, we looked a threat in the attack and I think Eastleigh were not really putting anything together.”
“We had a disappointing goal where we are not tight enough in midfield and they get away, they go wide and suddenly it is in the back of our net.”
“Obviously, the second goal before half time was the killer blow to us. The referee has deemed it a penalty and he was probably the only man in the ground who thought it was a penalty.”
“We found ourselves 2-0 down with a mountain to climb but what I will say is that the boys gave everything and they kept going in difficult circumstances. There was lots of frustration out there.”
The amount of frustration meant that the Shaymen were unable to create many chances in the second half which kept them out of the game. However, there was some bright performances and Heath says this implies to one man in particular.
“It was a very tight affair in the first 35 minutes and it was going to be, it is a big cup game. Like I say, we were comfortable, I do not think they had a shot on goal. I thought ‘Kozzy’ was outstanding, he cramped up towards the end but he was outstanding and had a big opportunity in the first half.”
Town’s woes were added to as the game progressed, first through Jordan Sinnott being carried off through injury and a suspected concussion to Richard Peniket. This now puts Heath in a difficult position, but he remains positive over his side’s effort.
“He is not great at all. He has got knee and ankle problems so he does not look fantastic at the minute. We will see how he is tomorrow really because at this moment in time he is on crutches which is never a good sight.”
“We had Peniket who was concussed at the end so we will have to assess certain things but, effort and commitment wise, the boys were fantastic… They gave a good account of themselves.”
On the other hand, the sending off of Scott Garner on top of injuries to Sinnott and Peniket means that Town will have selection problems over the next few games.
Heath is very aware of this and understands that these upcoming fixtures will be made even more difficult by the circumstances.
“It is difficult because we are short on numbers anyway, Hone is coming back but we are short on numbers. The squad is too small, I have said before that it is far too small and these are the problems we are facing.”
“We are not working off enough numbers and it is going to prove difficult now.”
You can now watch the full interview with Heath along with post-match reaction from Nathan Hotte and Matty Kosylo on Shaymen Player HD.
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