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Salford City: To Win On Penalties Is Great

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

FC Halifax Town booked themselves a place in the National League North Play-Off Final after a nail-biting encounter against Salford City at the MBi Shay Stadium.

Richard Peniket seemed to have headed home the winner in extra-time before Michael Nottingham brought the score line level and pushed the game to penalties. Salford were unable to convert any of their penalties, and the home side came away victorious after Matty Brown blasted home the winning spot-kick.

The victory means Halifax will face Chorley at home next Saturday after they beat Kidderminster Harriers 2-0 at the Aggborough Stadium โ€“ Adam Roscoe scoring a stoppage time goal to make it 2-1 on aggregate to the Magpies.

After this entertaining match, we spoke to Josh Wildeโ€ฆ

โ€œIt was a tiring game. Elation when we scored and then a massive sucker punch when we conceded. But we did well I think over all, we just about edged it. To win it on penalties is great, and finding out that Chorley won as well, so weโ€™re at home โ€“ itโ€™s another big advantage for us so weโ€™re looking forward to it.โ€

With the win, it means that Halifax are potentially 90 minutes away from an instant return to the National League. Matt Jensenโ€™s Chorley are what stands in their way, but Josh is hopeful, the team can do what needs to be done next weekendโ€ฆ

โ€œItโ€™s what weโ€™ve aimed for all season. Weโ€™ve put ourselves in this position now which is fantastic. Hopefully we can get over that line; I believe we have got enough to beat Chorley. I was quite surprised that they beat Kidderminster, but it will be a tough game, a one-off game. They want to get into the National League as much as we do, so it will be another tough one. We just need to make sure we perform as well as we can do and get over that line.โ€

Josh is no stranger to a play-off final, and neither are some other Halifax Town squad members. Having played in these huge games before, Josh believes it can put the team in good stead when looking ahead to the gameโ€ฆ

โ€œIโ€™m surprised at how experience does help you. It settles you down so much before the game. People weโ€™re asking me if I was nervous, but I wasnโ€™t at all. I was more looking forward to it and wanting the whistle to go since I woke up this morning. Iโ€™m not nervous, Iโ€™m just more excited. I wish we were playing it sooner rather than next Saturday really. Massively looking forward to it โ€“ all the lads are, absolutely buzzing. Hopefully we can get some rest in before then, some tried legs and a few niggles but Iโ€™m sure everyone will be fit and wanting to play.โ€

Matty Brownโ€™s winning penalties sparked jubilant scenes at the Shay, as hundreds piled onto the pitch from the South Stand. The stadium was rocking for every minute of the game and Josh thanks the Shaymen faithful for the unerring devotion to the clubโ€ฆ

โ€œThey were fantastic. Everyone was looking forward to the atmosphere today and they didnโ€™t let us down at all, they were brilliant. And the fans coming on at the end just made it better. Coming around to you and telling you how well youโ€™ve done, it does give you a confidence boost. And that is what we need, going into the final now. Just want to make sure that everyone around us, is pulling in the same direction, and like I say, everyone wants to get in the next league up, and weโ€™ve given ourselves the best chance as possible of doing that.โ€

FC Halifax Town face Chorley FC in a bid to reach the National League on Saturday 13thย May at 3pm, at the MBi Shay Stadium.

Read more posts by Kelly Gilchrist

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