Halifax Tides FC players celebrate a goal by Megumi Nakamura (24) against the Calgary Wild FC during Norther Super League action at the Wanderers Grounds in Halifax on Monday. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentThe regime change is paying immediate dividends for Halifax Tides FC.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe Tides replaced head coach Lewis Page with Stephen Hart a little more than a week ago and he made his debut on Monday at the Wanderers Grounds. The Northern Super League team went into the day with just one win in its first eight games and that total has now already doubled.Article contentArticle contentHalifax pieced together a 1-0 victory over Calgary Wild FC on a hot night in front of several thousand appreciative fans to signal what might be a turning point in the club’s inaugural season.Article contentArticle content“It is not a long time since we (got) the new coach, but as a team, we had the same goal as always,” Japanese striker Megumi Nakamura said through an interpreter. “The new coach didn’t change any (tactics) yet for us to do, but he was just getting us more motivated to win the game.”Article content“We have always believed we can win and this will help us be even more positive,” she added. “It feels like we are starting something new now.”Article contentThe win was the Tides’ first in nearly a month and improves their record to 2-6-1. They also move to within four points of catching the Wild and moving out of last place and into fifth.Article contentHart was quick to deflect any credit, saying ‘they did this tonight.’ But he also acknowledged noticing some fragility in the team’s psyche during his first few days in charge and said he targeted a morale boost as his first order of business.Article content“Look, this is about them,” Hart said. “They earned this today with the right attitude, the right approach and the right discipline. I told them in the good moments with the ball, they did very well. And in the bad moments, we suffered but we defended. We did what we had to do, and in the end, we got the victory.”Article contentArticle contentHart went on to say he hasn’t even really had a chance yet to gain a full assessment of his group and each individual’s strengths and weaknesses. The way he described it is he’s only had time so far to give the team a crash course on his preferences and expectations.Article content“They were on a break (at the time of the change) so the first training session back was the first time they met me, and I met them, and then I took that session and I just watched. The staff ran that session,” he said. “And then I had two-and-a half sessions with the team so my first approach was to understand that they may be a little fragile mentally and to try and give them some confidence to play.”Article contentAn area that needed immediate attention was the offence and Hart barked out constant reminders of what he wanted on the attack. He kept pushing his players to get into a good structure and then try to create seams with quick, but calculated ball movement from back to front.
Tides starting to turn under new leadership: ‘It feels like we are starting something new now’
