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 Saturdayβs 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 Parkβ¦
βI thought it was a tough match, we knew it would be, obviously because of the position they were in β they needed something out of the game, although it turned out in the end they didnβt. But that took nothing from how the game would be. We applied large spells of pressure and the pitch wasnβt great, so sometimes when weβd setup to try and get the ball down and play, but it wasnβt 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 Kingβ
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 midweekβ¦
βWe know what theyβll be about. At their place first, so we want to go and get a good result there. Weβll look to setup for nothing less than a win; weβve seen how we played against them at home. Obviously, itβs 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.β
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 homeβ¦
Β βIt would be good if we can get a foothold, if youβre coming in losing in the second leg, that brings a lot more pressure. You donβt 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, thereβs no problem why we shouldnβt get a good result.β
The previous league games between the Shaymen and the Ammies have been eventful to say the least β Kevin Robertsβ 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 matchβ¦
βIβm 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, itβs 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.β
And with many Shaymen fans expected to turn up at Salfordβs home for a crucial game, Sinnott believes theyβll keep on doing what theyβve been doing all season, backing the team from the first minute to the lastβ¦
βYouβve just got to look at the last league game there. Off the top of my head I canβt 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 arenβt going right. Those who get behind us, they can drive the team on so Iβm 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, donβt get involved with them, donβt get involved with their fans, just leave it to all the football and just see how we get on.β
FC Halifax Town travel to Salford City this Wednesday at 7:45pm.
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