FC Halifax Town 3 Wakefield FC 2: Striker switch pays off
Published Date:
05 January 2009
By Dave Fletcher
BOSS Jim Vince shuffled the Town attack against Wakefield - and Nigel Jemson came up trumps with a second half double.
The Halifax assistant boss had been used as a calming influence at the back in a sweeping role.
But he reverted to the position he occupied on more than 400 occasions at clubs like Nottingham Forest and Shrewsbury.
And Vince was delighted with the switch which resulted in a 3-2 win and a three point advantage at the top of Unibond One North.
"I have been disappointed with the forwards recently," said the Shay boss. "But I always felt we were a little bit prone to the counter attack.
"If we give Nigel the ball in the final third, he has the quality and we need that in the team. It was a great time to score a goal when he got his first.
"Ajay Leitch-Smith also did well. It is part of his rehabilitation and 65 minutes was enough for him. We don't want to push him."
Jemson's success does not mean the end of Ashley Stott or Paul Gedman, both of whom came off the bench on Saturday
"I always intended to give Ashley and Paul some time under their belts," said Vince.
"Both looked tight when they came on. They were unsure and didn't want to make mistakes. All players go through bad phases and it is down to me and my team to encourage them to play."
Town's cause was boosted by the fact that Wakefield's Andy Woods - the former Shay keeper - was sent off for handball after just 28 minutes.
"At half time we told the players that when they got the opportunity they should shoot, but in the right areas," said Vince. "I asked for quality rather than snatching at things and we did that.
"People will look at the result and ask if there are issues within the team - and there are, but they are being addressed.
"We had to say a few harsh words with the players because we are trying to set high standards.
"On Saturday the overall performance, even prior to Wakefield going down to 10 men, was right. The movement, passing and determination was outstanding.
"If the supporters did not see that, they have not seen the same game I have seen. I don't think we lost a tackle.
"The players have the quality and the question was: do they have the desire? They have proved that but it is just one game. We did enough to take care of what is not a bad team."
Vince hinted at signings in the next seven days - possibly before next weekend's home clash with Radcliffe Borough.
"We are not settling for what we have got, we want to improve," he said. "There is a midfielder who has been with me for the last season or so who is absolutely fantastic. He will fit the bill nicely for us. Everything has been agreed in principle.
"There is someone else we are very interested in and we hope that deal will be done by the end of the week."
The full article contains 529 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.
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Last Updated:
05 January 2009 9:07 AM
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Source:
Evening Courier
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Location:
Halifax