FC Halifax Town: Keeper Sam hands it to in-form Shaymen

Goalkeeper Sam Johnson admits FC Halifax Town's unbeaten run since his arrival has surpassed his expectations.
Sam Johnson in action against Macclesfield. Picture: Peter Hilton PhotographySam Johnson in action against Macclesfield. Picture: Peter Hilton Photography
Sam Johnson in action against Macclesfield. Picture: Peter Hilton Photography

The on-loan Port Vale keeper is yet to be on the losing side in a Town shirt since his debut against Dover, and has kept four clean sheets in his eight appearances after a run of 29 league matches without a shut-out for the club.

Halifax have conceded just seven goals under Jim Harvey in comparison to the 35 shipped in Darren Kelly’s 10 matches at the helm, a run of form Johnson reflected wasn’t exactly on the cards when he arrived.

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Johnson said: “I’m really enjoying it, it’s always better when you’re picking up good results like we are doing.

“I’m really happy with how it’s going so far.

“I didn’t expect that when I came. We were bottom of the league when I joined.

“I hoped we might pick up a few decent results while I was here but we’ve been flying.

“If I’d come to watch the last six or seven games I’d be thinking they were a top six or seven team.

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“Obviously they found themselves near the bottom of the table but it’s been great since I’ve been here.”

Johnson praised the approach of Harvey, who has won six out of nine matches as manager, with arguably his best result yet coming at Macclesfield last Saturday.

“I don’t know what the previous managers were like here but he’s very passionate, he gets his point across very well” said Johnson.

“He’s got a certain style he wants us to play and it’s certainly working.

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People from where I am were saying they weren’t the best team but I’ve been reporting back that they’ve been brilliant since I’ve been here.

“We play decent football and the results have been showing that.

“I think Jim gets across that he wants us to stay in games as long as possible, and judging from recent results, we’re a match for anyone in this division.”

The 23-year-old will stay with Town until the end of the month, but is keen to remain with the club until the end of the season.

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Johnson says he relished the opportunity to join The Shaymen from Port Vale, where he trains most days and travels up to train with Halifax on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“I wouldn’t say there’s a difference in the standard,” he added. “Obviously the facilities are better at Port Vale but I’d say the standard’s not far off here.

“I had a few games at Port Vale, had a good run in the team, but recently a new goalkeeper came in there which you can’t do much about.

“I’m happy to cement a place as number one here and hopefully I can just push on from there.

“At the start I hadn’t played in a while and I thought I was a bit rusty but I think I’ve been playing well since then.”