Pic: Will Kilpatrick
FC HALIFAX TOWN boss Billy Heath reckons he and his side’s big game experience can help push them over the line in the National League North play-off race.
The Shaymen picked up a huge victory at the weekend, ending Kidderminster Harriers’ 13-match winning streak at home with a 2-1 victory in Worcestershire.
Jordan Sinnott scored the vital goal from the penalty spot with six minutes remaining after Kiddy’s James McQuilkin had earlier missed a spot kick of his own.
The win kept Heath’s men in third and they are now just two points adrift of Kidderminster as they look to book an instant return to Non-League‘s top tier.
Heath knows all about the Step 2 play-offs having led North Ferriby United to promotion through them last season before he opted to make the switch to Halifax following their relegation.
The boss also oversaw the Villagers’ FA Trophy win over Wrexham at Wembley in 2015 and with a number of that team now in Halifax colours, Heath is hopeful they will perform when it matters.
“We’ve got players who have played in play-offs, been here before and some that have played in Wembley finals so it should stand us in good stead,” Heath said.
“We’ve got a lot of players under 24 but they’ve got to handle the pressure. Saturday showed that we have the resilience because if you’re going to achieve anything, you’ve got to have that resilient side.”
With the increasing number of teams going full-time in the National League North, Heath says the league is becoming tougher to compete.
“You could see at the end of Saturday how drained our players were having just played against a full-time Kidderminster team,” he said.
“It makes a huge difference but we showed a lot of character and a lot of heart which is what you need most at this part of the season.
“We have probably three hours with our players during the week while full-time teams have 20 hours plus – it’s difficult but you have to work harder to level things.”
