FC Halifax Town: Heath delighted with loan star Simmons

Simmons netted on his debut against Gainsborough before scoring again in the FA Cup win at Ashton Athletic.

He then bagged a brace in the 4-0 win over Bradford Park Avenue last Saturday.

Heath lauded the attitude of the forward, who is at The Shay on a three-month loan.

“He’s had a good impact,” Heath said. “He’s flexible and he gives us that natural balance on the left side.

“He can play on the left of a three or he can play through the middle.

“He just wants to work hard and score goals.

“He’s got a good attitude and that’s the main thing we look for.

“There are lots of good players out there but they don’t all have the right mindset.

“This is what we’re concentrating on - are we tough enough? Are we mentally strong enough to challenge for the league?

“You’ve got to be mentally tough to win things. This is what we will find out.”

Fellow new boy David Lynch was also praised by Heath after a solid debut against Park Avenue last weekend.

“He had a good debut,” Heath reflected. “It was difficult with him having just joined us but he showed exactly what he is.

“He gets about the pitch, harries people, puts a foot in. He enjoys the destructive part of the game, which you have to have in your team.”

On Saturday’s FA Cup clash, Heath added: “We have to be mentally right.

“We’ve worked hard in training this week, we did some shape work and worked on how we want to play the game.

“We have to put a run together and the sooner a run of wins comes, the better.

“But we have to earn the right.

“Expectations are one thing but there’s no given right why we should be top of the league.

“We’re in a healthy position and we have to keep the run going in the FA Cup.”

See more from Billy Heath in Friday’s Courier.