FC Halifax Town: We deserved to win, says Heath after Altrincham draw

Town boss Billy Heath felt his side did enough to win the game after their 2-2 draw at home to Altrincham.
FC Halifax Town manager Billy Heath.
FC Halifax Town v Sheffield United.  Pre-season friendly.  19 July 2016. Picture Bruce RollinsonFC Halifax Town manager Billy Heath.
FC Halifax Town v Sheffield United.  Pre-season friendly.  19 July 2016. Picture Bruce Rollinson
FC Halifax Town manager Billy Heath. FC Halifax Town v Sheffield United. Pre-season friendly. 19 July 2016. Picture Bruce Rollinson

Altrincham took the lead twice through James Lawrie and a Jake Moult penalty but Halifax came from behind twice thanks to Tom Denton and Altrincham old boy Jordan Sinnott.

Heath said: “I think we did enough to win all three points but we gave two not so great goals away again.

“Both of them were avoidable.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’d like to see the penalty again because a few of the lads - not just Danny Hone - have said their player has fallen into Danny.

“It looked like a penalty to me to be honest but a few of the lads said he lost control of the ball and fell into him (Hone).

“We’ve nearly got the 3-2 again, and probably should have done,.

“I think they’ve only had three shots on target and scored two goals, that’s a good return for them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’ve had numerous opportunities and we pushed hard and we’ve come back from losing twice, showed a lot of courage and desire to get back in the game.

“That’s what I told them - we had that spirit and attitude again that we’re not giving up on anything.”

Heath was frustrated with his team’s generosity at the back, and insists Town must be meaner in defence after conceding four goals in their first two games.

“The first goal was avoidable because we could have cleared it and we didn’t, we tried to take a touch in the wrong area and it’s popped out, the lad’s had one touch and scored,” Heath said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s frustrating because we’ve got to try and start keeping clean sheets.

“That’s the key - if we can keep clean sheets we’re always going to score goals.

“We’ve got to tighten up but I still think we did enough to win the game.”

Denton now has four goals from his first two Halifax games, and Heath said he wouldn’t swap the striker for any other forward in the division.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He’s a good player. I’ve said before people don’t give him the credit he deserves,” Heath said.

“I see centre-forwards getting praise at other clubs and he’s this and he’s that - would I swap Tom for anybody? No.

“At what he does, he’s the best striker in the league, definitely.”

Heath also commended the impact of his three substitutes on the night, one which, Sinnott, struck a superb equaliser with eight minutes to go.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He’s got quality has Jordan. He’s been unfortunate not to start like a couple of other lads,” Heath added.

“The bench is very strong and we could start with any of the five on the bench and it wouldn’t weaken the team.

“All three of the substitutes, and on Saturday, are coming on the pitch and they’re ready.

“They had a big impact tonight - Hibbs, Kosylo and Sinnott - all looked to play and not sulked because they’ve been left out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’ve said to them we’re a squad, some players are going to play most weeks, others are going to be not so much.

“All three of those might start on Saturday, none of them might start on Saturday.

“But it’s the attitude that’s important - it’s the team, not me, me, me.

“And you saw tonight all three of them had a great input in the game.”