FC Halifax Town are one game away from the First Round Proper of the Emirates FA Cup as they saw off Stalybridge Celtic in another scrappy encounter at the MBi Shay Stadium.
The two sides met in early September in a cagey encounter and it seemed to be déjà vu for many supporters when the two teams faced off in their cup clash. Josh Wilde opened the scoring before former Shaymen Keil O’Brien equalised; but it was Danny Hone who turned hero in the 76th minute when he headed in what turned out to be the winner.
We spoke to goal scorer Wilde after the game…
“It’s never an easy game when you play Stalybridge, as we saw. They’re a physical team, but a win’s a win and I feel like we played a lot better today, especially first half. It was a pleasing result.”
Wilde’s well taken volley opened the scoring and was his second goal in the campaign so far after his bizarre finish against Worcester earlier in the season. Wilde is still thankful to have his name on the scoresheet…
“Well I got my fluke goal, and now it’s nice to get an actual, proper goal. Right place, right time. I shouted out to Dents to nod it down and he did thankfully. Managed to get a shot off and it went in so I’m happy, and I am happier that we’ve won. It’s obviously disappointing when you’ve scored and lost so it’s pleasing and I’m happy all round”
Wilde’s goal also helped him achieve a personal goal, as he got payback on the team that knocked out North Ferriby in the Fourth Qualifying Round last season, beating his former club 8-7 on penalties…
“It’s nice to obviously get that payback and hopefully now we can get a good draw and progress to the first round. I’ve never been in the first round proper, been knocked out in the fourth round of qualifying quite a few times, so that’s obviously my aim now, to reach the first round. We’re one step closer, one step away so hopefully we can get a good draw and come out on top.”
One of the main talking points during and after the game was the referee. Free kicks and fouls flew in left, right and centre in a stop-start encounter and many of the fans who attended the game were not happy with the disjointed nature of play. Despite this, Wilde is just happy to get the win and push on to the next round of qualifying…
“The referee today wasn’t biased because he was like he was for both teams. Very stop-start and some very odd decisions at times, but it is pleasing and it’s a win. It got a bit spoilt in the second half but I think in the first half our performance was brilliant and we should have been out of sight in the first half, we had quite a few chances. It’s a good result, good game and it’s pleasing”
And with the Fourth Qualifying Round match the only thing between Wilde and the First Round Proper; the left-back can’t wait for the next FA Cup clash…
“I think anyone would like to play at home, but anyone who comes our way, we’re confident in ourselves that we can go and win, even in a league above. We’ve got a great bunch of lads, and if we play like that, pressing and getting on the ball; the movement, the passing like we did in the first half; second half we didn’t do it so much, but if we do what we did in the first half again then I don’t think many teams will be able to live with us really.”
FC Halifax Town return to action at Gloucester City who they face next Saturday at 3pm.
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