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Salford City: Fans Played A Huge Part

Posted by Kelly Gilchrist
Posted on Wed 10 May 2017
Posted in First Team

FC Halifax Town eventually came through victorious as the sides could not be separated following 210 minutes of football over two legs, Heath made sure to praise the visitors. He said: โ€œCredit to Salford because of the way they came back and put us under pressure when we got the goal. They pushed us every single minute of the game.โ€

Following a first-half of limited opportunities for either side, the game opened up with both goals coming in extra-time as Salford full-back Nottingham cancelled out Richard Peniketโ€™s thunderous header.

Heath said: โ€œThere werenโ€™t fantastic clear-cut chances but I think both teams could have done better in certain situations. I think we shaded it slightly. We held our nerve and have a very good record on penalties.โ€

On the change in line-up, which may have surprised some Town fans, Townโ€™s manager said: โ€œWe picked a team at Salford to get the best result. We played Peniket to nullify Nottingham, whoโ€™s a fantastic player and scored again today. Today, we wanted to get the crowd going and get on the front foot. From minute one we were pushing. I thought different teams for different occasions.โ€

Pleased that the penalties were taken in front of a South Stand packed with vociferous Shaymen, Heath said: โ€œI donโ€™t think there were many nerves there at all. A lot of our players have played in a cup final, play-off final, or both.โ€

โ€œAll I said to the players (before the penalties) was to hit the target. We didnโ€™t practice them. You canโ€™t recreate whatโ€™s gone on out there. The emotions and the pressure.โ€

Townโ€™s Sam Johnson was key throughout the match, denying James Poole a chance to win it for Salford. The 6ft 7 keeper, on loan from Port Vale, kept a clean sheet in the penalty shoot-out as the Shaymen progressed to the final. Heath said: โ€œHeโ€™s an imposing figure to say the least. Iโ€™m pleased for Sam heโ€™s an unassuming guy. Heโ€™s been absolutely superb since we brought him here. โ€œ

Matty Brown scored the final penalty to set up the final against Chorley on Saturday at The Shay. Heath praised an excellent performance, saying: โ€œWhen you go into a penalty shoot-out you need people with strong minds and strong wills. Matty Brown is certainly that.โ€

Looking ahead to the final, Heath said: โ€œChorley play a certain way. Tough, strong and physical. They have players who know what itโ€™s about at this level.โ€

Heath was also full of praise for Townโ€™s fans. He said: โ€œJust unbelievable. The fans absolutely drove the boys on and played a huge part today. We need that again next week. Come and support, weโ€™ve seen how important it was today. Come and get us over the line.โ€

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