Halifax 4 – (Collins 8, McCoy 36, 40, Heath 42)
Alcuin 2 – (Sarin 19, Fernando (p) 28)
Halifax overcame Alcuin 4-2 to get their spring term campaign off to a solid start. As expected, it was an even affair, with ‘Fax’s superior attacking quality the deciding factor. A double for central midfielder Connor McCoy was added to by goals from skipper Garo Heath and Henry Collins, securing Halifax the three points.
It was Halifax who took an early lead through Collins before Alcuin struck back with a goal from the mercurial Sarin. Chances then fell to either team, with Sarin guilty of not taking a couple of decent openings to double his money, but Alcuin got ahead through an Andy Fernando penalty. Halifax replied through McCoy ten minutes later, and he was able to score again with the last kick of the half. The win was made sure early in the second, with captain Heath calmly stroking home. The match then fell into a relatively dull affair, with neither side being able to fashion any further opportunities.
Halifax’s opener, which came after eight minutes, was a scrappy one – a long throw was launched into the box and headed onto the crossbar by centre-back Bowden, before Collins was able to head past an Alcuin defender on the line.
Alcuin hit back eleven minutes later through diminutive winger Sarin. He received the ball on the edge of the area and turned down a shooting chance before calmly taking the ball past two defenders and slotting under the onrushing Coleman in goal.
Sarin had two decent chances to double his tally and his team’s lead, the first coming only a minute after his equaliser. He was played through on goal but checked back, allowing a defender to come across and cover. Five minutes later he was played through again, but his touch was heavy and Coleman in the ‘Fax goal was able to get down and smother the chance.
However, the pressure would eventually tell, with the Reds’ second goal coming from the penalty spot. Andy Fernando’s driven free kick was kept out by Coleman, but Michael Garn was able to nip in before the keeper could collect and was tripped by the keeper’s outstretched arm. Fernando took on the responsibility and was able to deliver from the spot, shooting low past Coleman.
Halifax responded well to going behind with a few shots on goal and were rewarded for their pressure with an equaliser. A ball was played over the top of the Alcuin defence, and McCoy was quick enough to latch onto it and strike a beautiful half volley into the far corner.
It only took him four minutes to get a second and restore ‘Fax’s lead with the final kick of the half. The ball fell nicely on the edge of the box and he met it with aplomb, leathering a sweet strike through a few bodies and into the bottom corner.
Skipper Heath gave Halifax a two-goal cushion just after the break, curling home after being played down the left. This would prove to be the final goal of the game, with both sides unable to find a way through in the final forty minutes.
It is a victory that puts Halifax in good stead for the rest of the campaign, having seen off an Alcuin side that triumphed 7-2 in the last meeting between these two teams and finished above them in the table last term. ‘Fax face defending champions Derwent next weekend and Alcuin are up against Vanbrugh, with both games promising to be exciting spectacles.
Alcuin 1sts XI (4-5-1): Richardson; Kennick (c), Pickar, Perera, Houlgate; Turner, McConnell, Garn, Fernando, Sarin; McLarty.
Halifax 1sts XI (4-5-1): Coleman; Birtles, Bull, Bowden, Girzades; Durbeck, Collins, McCoy, Heath (c), Tester; Wearing. Subs: McCauley, Goldthorpe.