Jon Challinor produced an assured and uncompromising debut to help FC Halifax Town secure only their second Skrill Premier clean sheet on the road this term.
The Shaymen played with solidarity and cohesiveness as Challinor made the effortless transition from Evo-Stik League Premier Division football:
“It was good, playing at the level that I had been meant that I was a little nervous but whenever I am nervous I play better. So it was just great to be out there, especially at this stage in my career to be given the opportunity to play at FC Halifax Town and in the conference.
Whatever happens or comes from it who knows but I am just going to enjoy it. I loved it out there today I got a few kicks but that’s just the rough and tumble of the Conference. I’ll just take it and go on to the next game.”
In a competitive match which saw two durable opponents trading blows, the former Newport County man felt aggrieved at not gaining maximum points by failing to utilise the extra man advantage:
“The one thing that we wanted was a clean sheet especially after Tamworth the other week. To come away with a point is the the minimum we wanted ,we’re just a little disappointed with how the game panned out that we didn’t take all the three points.
It is sometimes harder to play against ten-men, but we never tested their keeper I don’t think he had too many saves to make. But we can build on that and with Cambridge next up we’ve got to try and get the three points.”
With chances at a premium at the Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium, Wrexham retreated and appeared content with a share of the spoils. Following an off the ball incident between Brett Ormerod and Marc Roberts, as the former Southampton forward was dismissed by referee Martin Coy, much to the bewilderment of Challinor:
“You’re challenging for the ball, but once the ball has gone you can’t kick-out. I’ve seen him stamp on Marc and then when he’s on the floor he kicked out. The referee saw it and obviously consulted the linesman to make the right decision.”
At the turn of the interval the officials would be in dialogue again as Roberts cannoned a header beyond Custodian Andy Coughlin, only for it to be ruled out for offside, a borderline decision that went against the Shaymen:
“I didn’t really see it, the ref said he was in the perfect position but I don’t know how you can judge with the amount of bodies in there, it seemed legitimate but the referee has made the call to disallow it so we just have to get on with it.”
With matches on the horizon against Cambridge United and Aldershot Town, whilst relishing the chance to play against his former employers, the 33 year-old defender is not placing any extra significance on either fixture:
“No matter what’s gone on at other clubs it is just another game. The clubs that we’re up against are all up there like Cambridge obviously Aldershot would be if it weren’t for the points deduction. So they’ll be hard games we’ll all be pushing for three points so that’s what we’ll be trying to do.”
Watch the full interview on Shaymen Player now.
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