“The lads have got belief in themselves again” says Shaymen boss Wild
FC HALIFAX Town boss Pete Wild says his side has got their belief back after they beat Torquay United 2-1 to reach the third round of the FA Trophy.
The Shaymen survived a Torquay-dominated first-half before taking a two-goal lead thanks to Tobi Sho-Silva and Josh Staunton.
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans got one back to set-up a nervy finish, but Town held firm.
“The weather played a big part,” Wild said. “We also had an illness to Jamie Allen, who didn’t travel, and Cameron King, who was 50-50, which is why we took him off. He’s been ill.
“We knew we’d be put under a lot of pressure but we thought if we could withstand them, playing against the wind firsthalf and come in at 0-0, we’d have a chance.
“We did, and second-half we came out and took our chances.
“They put us under a lot of pressure but we’re defending our box a lot better now, we’re dominating both boxes like we were at the start of the season, which is pleasing.
“We’re getting headers and tackles in, our two central midfielders are doing so much work, I thought Charlie Cooper was fantastic.
“Nathan Clarke and Matty Brown produced two unbelievable clearing headers.
“We’re starting to be more resolute again and we feel like we’re pushing again.
“We’re putting our bodies on the line, that wasn’t there a month ago. The lads have got belief in themselves again, and they’re desperate to hang on to goals and victories.
“I thought you saw that in abundance.”
When asked
where
he thought his side’s spirit and belief had come from, Wild said: “They’re long, hard seasons aren’t they, and you’ll have peaks and troughs.
“We certainly had a trough! But wins help, playing well helps and so does competition for places, which we’ve got now.”
The Shaymen showed the are taking the FA Trophy just as seriously as the National League with a fully-committed display.
“We want to do well in every game we play,” added the Town boss.