FC Halifax Town head into Saturday’s clash against Luton in good form, having won four on the spin and five of their last six games. Monday night saw Alfreton Town pushed aside as Halifax temporarily stepped into the play-offs.
Although Luton may boast a bigger threat than The Reds, defender Marc Roberts believes that Halifax can beat any side at The Shay: “It is a big game, especially after winning the other night (against Alfreton). You never know, if we can get three points on Saturday, we will be right in there. I think that it is a testament to the club that we are looking to get three points against big sides like Luton.
“If you look at the start of the season, I don’t think that we would have taken the game into consideration, you’d be thinking that anything is a bonus. We’ll be going into the game looking for all three points.”
John Still’s side sit at the top of the Conference National, and have won 24 games all season. The Hatters won both of their games during the past week, but last weekend the side suffered their first home defeat of the season. Roberts maintains that if Halifax continue to play the same football that they have done at The Shay this season, points should be there for the taking.
He said: “The table doesn’t lie. They are the league leaders, have a great team and score a lot of goals. It will be a tough game, but if we are on our game, like we have been at home almost all of the season, I don’t see why we can’t come out with something at the end of the game.”
Last time round, Luton left Kenilworth with all three points, as the game against finished 4-3. Neil Aspin’s side had control of proceedings on the half hour mark with the score at 3-1, but The Hatters fought back and eventually won. A long range strike from Alex Wall handed the victory to Luton, cancelling Dan Gardner’s effort as the best goal of the game. Due to the nature of the last meeting between the two, Roberts is hoping for redemption and to seek revenge.
“All that we can do is play as well as we can. I think that if we do that, we can get something out of the game. We did not defend the best in the last game, especially when they scored the winner, but hopefully we can put that right on Saturday and come away with something.”
Halifax head into this game on a run of four victories. Three clean sheets have been earned during those games, which has left Roberts and the rest of the defence delighted with their recent performances.
“We have been doing well. I think that the most pleasing thing for me are the clean sheets that we have been putting together. As a defender, that is what we want to do. Everyone knows that we have conceded quite a few goals this year, more than what we would have liked. That is the most pleasing thing for me, keeping the clean sheets.”
Lee Gregory scored twice in Halifax’s 2-0 victory over Alfreton. The striker will battle on the same pitch as Luton’s Andre Gray, his fellow joint top scorer. Gregory nudges forward with his tally having scored 28 in all competitions compared to Gray’s 26, but Roberts is overjoyed with his team-mate’s consistent displays throughout this season.
“I think that every club wants their striker in good form and scoring. I am just glad that we have got one. When you have got Lee Gregory on the pitch, you always fancy him to score. Going back to the clean sheets, if we can keep them out, you always fancy yourself to score when we have him on the pitch.”
With the game played at the Shay, Roberts insists that Halifax must capitalise playing at home if they are to qualify for the play-offs.
“We have got a great home record, the fans are great, and hopefully we can keep that going. We are very confident at home. I think that we believe in ourselves. We believe that we can beat anybody, so hopefully that can go our way on Saturday.”
Reaching the play-offs was never in the script for Halifax, but as they sit only one point behind fifth place in the league table, Roberts is hoping the team will fight until the very final whistle on April 26 against Kidderminster Harriers.
“If you had said that at the start of the season, I would have probably said ‘no, you’re being daft’. As I said before, it is a testament everyone at the club; the players, the staff, we have all stuck together, even when we were struggling away from home. Sixth going into the last eight games. We have got a bit of momentum. If we can keep that up, you never know.
“There is always a team who gets into the play-offs on momentum, and they are usually the side who goes on to win it. You just never know. We have to take games by games, point by point, and will try to squeeze in there. All of the lads all believe that we can do it, so if we all stick together, I can’t see why we can’t,” he said.
Kick-off is set to commence at 3pm.
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