FC Halifax Town face Salford City in the first leg of the National League North play-off semifinal this Wednesday, with a tight, entertaining match-up expected at Moor Lane.
After Saturday’s 2-0 win over Chorley, Halifax are in great form, only dropping eight points in their last ten games.
The Ammies also find themselves in fine fettle, winning their last three league games, most recently with 5-1 win over Darlington.
Jordan Sinnott spoke about the build-up to the upcoming match against Salford, firstly giving us his thoughts behind the recent win at Victory Park…
“I thought it was a tough match, we knew it would be, obviously because of the position they were in – they needed something out of the game, although it turned out in the end they didn’t. But that took nothing from how the game would be. We applied large spells of pressure and the pitch wasn’t great, so sometimes when we’d setup to try and get the ball down and play, but it wasn’t the surface for that. I thought the three lads at the back were outstanding, they were very good for us and that gave us a platform to go down the other end and nick a goal before half-time through Dents and then to nick the late penalty through King”
The win means Halifax have won their last three league games, winning seven in their last ten. With the team in form, Sinnott aims to continue this at Moor Lane in midweek…
“We know what they’ll be about. At their place first, so we want to go and get a good result there. We’ll look to setup for nothing less than a win; we’ve seen how we played against them at home. Obviously, it’s a bigger picture now with the playoffs, so all the lads are buzzing for it, it should be a great atmosphere and hopefully we can get a good result.”
The first leg of the tie being hosted by Moor Lane means the Shaymen could go back to Yorkshire on Wednesday with at least a crucial away goal and strong foothold in the match-up. Sinnott is hopeful his side can put in a good performance away from home…
“It would be good if we can get a foothold, if you’re coming in losing in the second leg, that brings a lot more pressure. You don’t want to be too far out of the tie after the first game. But we know our capabilities, and I reckon if we show up, there’s no problem why we shouldn’t get a good result.”
The previous league games between the Shaymen and the Ammies have been eventful to say the least – Kevin Roberts’ stoppage time equaliser meant the first game ended 2-2 at Moor Lane, before Halifax staged an epic comeback at the Shay to win 4-2. Sinnott expects another tight and entertaining match…
“I’m expecting a lot of goals to be fair, hopefully on our part and not on theirs. After that Fylde game, it was a disappointing result, the character the team has shown to go on that run of results and finish the season strongly, it’s a credit to us all, so we want to carry on this little run going down for two games, hopefully three and see where it takes us.”
And with many Shaymen fans expected to turn up at Salford’s home for a crucial game, Sinnott believes they’ll keep on doing what they’ve been doing all season, backing the team from the first minute to the last…
“You’ve just got to look at the last league game there. Off the top of my head I can’t remember how many turned up, but looking behind the goal and seeing them all on the banking; it gives the players a huge lift, especially if things aren’t going right. Those who get behind us, they can drive the team on so I’m expecting loads to be there, I think 600 tickets were sold. It should be a great atmosphere, we just need to play our own game, don’t get involved with them, don’t get involved with their fans, just leave it to all the football and just see how we get on.”
FC Halifax Town travel to Salford City this Wednesday at 7:45pm.
Read more posts by Kelly Gilchrist
