FC Halifax Town’s slim chances of clinching the league title were quashed after a rather undeserved 1-0 defeat to AFC Fylde.
The league leaders had their talisman Danny Rowe to thank after his second half finish took the three points back to Lancashire. Despite having the most chances of the game, the Shaymen were unable to convert those chances into goals. Josh MacDonald was denied by a point blank save in the first half, while Matty Kosylo saw his shot hit the base of the left post in the second 45 minutes.
We spoke to Tom Denton after the match…
“We should have had something from the game definitely. Knocked on the door time after time, they’ve had one shot, maybe two and scored with one of them. Yeah, we’ll go again Monday and obviously, Salford were beaten today, so we’re still right in the mix.”
The win takes the Shaymen out of the running for the league title, with the chase to be now fought between Fylde and Kidderminster, the Harriers just six points behind the Coasters. Tom revealed that Halifax’s chances were slim anyway, but hopes to bounce back against Harrogate Town on Monday afternoon…
“I thought it was going to be a tall order anyway. I think we would have needed to win every game and they would have needed to win two. We’ve got to go there Monday and well, we’ve got to win, we’ve got to win again and get back to winning ways. They’ve got nothing to play for; we’ve got everything to play for now. So, we’ll go there Monday, refreshed and ready to go”
Despite the loss, the Shaymen fans still backed their team to the final whistle, roaring the players on to try and break through the Fylde defence. Tom believes they will display another fantastic display at Wetherby Road on Monday…
“This afternoon they were nearly sucking the ball into the net to be fair, but it wasn’t to be. There’s maybe 1000 Halifax fans going on Monday. That’ll be good, obviously cheering the lads on and hopefully we can give them a win”
With just three games remaining, Halifax will now turn their concentration to strengthening their position in the playoffs and trying to claim 2nd place in the league. Tom revealed what Billy had been saying to the squad as they chased Fylde at the top of the table, and what is needed from the squad to finish as high as possible…
“Billy was saying if we win every game, we win the league. Obviously, we can’t win the league now, but he said if we won today, we’d win the league – they would crumble. Obviously, fair play to them, they’ve come here and got a win but we’ve just got to go into the last few games now and pick up as many points as we can. Pick up some good form going into the playoffs.”
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