Josh hoping for change of luck after stop-start season
Josh Wilson’s injury in preseason was the latest chapter in his hard-luck story since joining the Shaymen. The former Guiseley forward suffered a medial ligament strain against Tadcaster in Town’s first pre-season outing.
That came after a sporadic 2013-14 campaign that was disrupted by suspensions.
Wilson started Town’s first six games before a red card at Salisbury at the end of August meant he missed the next four games.
Wilson’s longest uninterrupted run in the side saw him feature in 10 consecutive games over the Christmas and New Year period.
But he missed another quartet of matches after being sent-off at Chester, while an ankle ligament injury on the last day of the season against Kidderminster ruled him out of the play-off semi-final with Cambridge.
The 26-year- old admits Town fans haven’t seen the best of him yet after reflecting on his début season.
“Last year was a personal disappointment for me,” he said. “Although obviously as a team it was brilliant.
“The two sendings-off put me on the sidelines so it was a bit stop-start.
“In the last four seasons I’d never missed a game.
“I think I’m due a bit of luck, I’ve not had much since I joined Halifax.
“I’ve shown glimpses of what I can do but I’ve not had a run of eight or 10 games in the side.
“I may have performed in one or two games but that’s not good enough.
“I need to show a bit of patience, my time will come and I’ve got to be ready.”
Wilson says he’s determined to regain his place in the side after not featuring in any of Halifax’s first three games so far this campaign.
He said: “It’s frustrating. I wanted to make a good impression from the very start but I missed five or six games and weeks of training so I’m a bit behind the rest of the lads.
“Then it’s difficult to force your way back in when the lads are doing so well.
“But I’m working very hard in the gym and going running every day and taking it very seriously.”
The front- man says he would love to help Town to a win at Chester tomorrow and avenge the red card he received there last season.
A win at the Deva Stadium would be Town’s fourth win on the bounce, and Wilson says the Shaymen are capable of maintaining their impressive early form.
He added: “The start speaks for itself.
“I think the biggest difference (from last season) is our defence looks excellent, we rarely look like giving any goals away.
“Up- front as well, Scott Boden is still waiting to get off the mark but from what I’m seeing in training it won’t be long before he does.
“I’m fully aware what we’re capable of.
“We’re targeting January and having as many points as possible and I don’t see any reason why we can’t be in the top five by that time.” Continued from back page “I would like to break my duck and if you get that one they might come like buses.
“But I’m not going to bed at night crying into my pillow thinking about it.
“When you look at who’s the leading scorer and it’s Robbo then it’s a bit back to front!
“Everyone’s got to chip in but it’s looking good at the minute and hopefully it continues.”
Boden watched last season’s dramatic 2-1 defeat at Chester on BT Sport and says then-Macclesfield teammate James Bolton was given a rough ride in training the following day.
“I was sat in a flat in Macclesfield watching it,” added Boden.
“Bolts came into training at Macc the next day and got a bit of stick for that - I was one of the ringleaders!”
Chester lost their first two games against Barnet, 5-0, and Forest Green, 2-1, this season but recovered to beat Braintree 3-1 last time out.
Steve Burr’s side were given a reprieve in the close season after Hereford United were thrown out of the Conference for failure to pay their football creditors.
That came after Chester were relegated on the last day of the season when they were pegged back late on by Salisbury City to draw 2-2, while Hereford netted a last-gasp winner at Aldershot to win 2-1 and avoid the trapdoor.
Since then, 12 players have been brought into the club after a mass exodus of last season’s squad.
Midfielder Danny Harrison will miss the match as he is serving the last of his threegame suspension for his red card against Barnet.
Former Scotland international Chris Iwelumo should pose a big threat for Chester, as should John Rooney, younger brother of Wayne, who impressed in the club’s win over Halifax back in February.
Richard Peniket and Jamie Jackson are both pushing for starts after superb secondhalf displays against Welling, with Adam Smith and Danny Schofield under threat for their starting places. Coach travel is available to Bristol Rovers next week, priced at £25 and leaving the Shay at 9am. For more details, call 07707 143094.