Shaymen’s Denton revelling in step up to the National League

(Photo: Andy Nunn)
By Matt Badcock
TOM DENTON says FC Halifax Town are loving life back at Non-League's top table – and raising a few eyebrows – despite the defeat to Dagenham at the weekend.
The Shaymen beat Leyton Orient 3-0 at Brisbane Road last Tuesday night to leap to the giddy heights of second in the National League following last season's play-off promotion from Step 2. And 6ft 7in striker Denton believes the result shows they've found their feet and urged his team-mates to keep it up.
“We are enjoying challenging ourselves in the best division in Non-League a lot,” Denton told The NLP. “I don't think many people thought we would be second after ten games, but we are and we have to carry on getting the results.
“It took five games to get our first win, but I think it was always going to take a bit of time. We had a solid start defensively but we weren't finding the net. Now both have clicked and we're up and running. The boys are flying at the minute and that shows. I don't think many teams will go away to Orient and win 3-0!
“We love being together for the away trips. The manager gets everyone together and we have a good evening the night before if it's an overnight stay. A few of the new lads have to do their initiation song and we always have a quiz, which is very competitive. No one likes to lose – just like on the pitch.
“Being part-time in this league doesn't really matter. If you have good team spirit and work hard for each other, you'll get results.”
A key performer so far has been winger Matty Kosylo, who has scored four goals in his last three games including two against Maidenhead and one against Orient.
Denton reckons the Shaymen have a talented player on their hands.
“Kozzy's started the season on fire,” he said. “He's a very direct winger and chips in with plenty of goals. I can see him playing in the Football League very soon.”
And the hitman has been in the goals himself with his strike against the O's his fourth of the season.
The former Wakefield, Mossley, Alfreton, Worksop Town and North Ferriby man is pleased with his return and says he's noticed a different approach to defending in the division.
“It's always nice to be scoring but I feel my performances overall have been good – it's just nice the goals are following,” Denton said.
“I target three goals a month, which is 20 over a season. That's what I've always done throughout my career and most years I've hit it.
“I do feel like defenders in this league handle me differently to the National League North. Maybe they are brought up more with the footballing side of the game and not so much of the rough and tumble!”

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