FC Halifax Town Defender Simon Ainge declared his delight at another league win, despite the fact his side werenโt at their best in Saturdayโs 2-1 win over Macclesfield.
First half goals from Marc Roberts and Chris Smith were enough to send the Shaymen one step closer to the Skrill Conference Premier play-offs, but Ainge admits it wasnโt their finest performance of the season.
โIt was an ugly win, but at this stage we just want to grind these wins out. I think it showed earlier on this season we might not have ground out the win, but we have done today and itโs a great result.โ
Ainge had been missing in the previous couple of games due to suspension, but only made the bench at Grimsby despite his availability, and he agrees that he has to earn his place back in the team after a few games out.
โI havenโt been selected, but the two games I missed we got two great results, so I canโt have any complaints really. Chris Smith has come in and done really well so Iโve just got to be ready for when I am selected and be there and do a job for the team.โ
Ainge came in to play an unfamiliar right back role due to James Boltonโs ineligibility against his parent club, but played superbly despite this, and says heโs happy to play anywhere to help his side.
โIโm a centre half, and the gaffer knows that, but today there wasnโt really anyone else. I played there quite a lot last year, so I can definitely fill in if needed, but I definitely prefer playing in the middle.โ
Townโs two strikes came in the first period, and both were set up by the head of Ainge, and the former Luton man admits that set pieces remain a vital opportunity for the Shaymen to breach their opposition.
โThe gaffer always says that set pieces are massive for us, especially with the likes of Roberts, Smith and myself, and weโve always got a chance if the delivery is good. We need to make the most of set pieces and if we get four or five per game, and make two of them count like we have today, it can win you the game, just like it has today.โ
Townโs fourth straight win and tenth straight game unbeaten did not come without drama, as their hosts pressed for an equaliser late on, but Ainge says he was confident of maintaining their fantastic recent record, despite that late pressure.
โWe just had to stay focused and in the end we just ground it out. We all worked together, and we knew before the game it would be tough, and we wanted the three points, and after letting a two goal lead slip at their place earlier this season, we knew we had to be on it in the second half, and I think we were.โ
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