Halifax 2nds confirmed their progression to the Cup knockouts after overcoming a scare at the hands of an impressive Vanbrugh 3rds side. Vanbrugh took an early lead through an Aaron Hooper strike before Halifax fought back through goals from Elliot Ragan and Connor McCoy, seeing them claim 2nd place in Group C.
Halifax knew a win would guarantee them their desired top two finish, and anything less would pave the way for Alcuin 1sts to leapfrog them in the final standings. But Vanbrugh were not mathematically out of Cup contention themselves, and they got off to a rapid start to lead within two minutes.
Aaron Hooper had already tested stand-in goalkeeper Hamish Denham with a long-range free kick. But with his second bite of the cherry moments later he made no mistake, blasting into the back of the net from close range.
It was clear that Vanbrugh were up for the upset, while Halifax’s start was sluggish to say the least. One might have expected the goal to wake Halifax up, but in reality they took their time to settle into the game, and in the opening gambit Vanbrugh were more than a match for their more illustrious opponents.
It took Halifax until the 12th minute to muster a decent effort, but Connor Meckin’s header lacked power and Vanbrugh keeper Kallum Taylor collected the ball with ease. Their next good chance was another header, this time by Ragan. The striker used his strength to rise well above the defender, but from six yards out couldn’t keep it down.
At the other end, Joe Lund broke into space down the left and had his shot well saved by Denham. But that would prove vital as the next telling moment saw Halifax draw level.
It was Ragan who bagged the equaliser, though he couldn’t really have missed from two yards with an open goal. The killer ball was provided by Jonny McGuinness, whose low cross evaded both Taylor and the covering defender Elliot Glanvil, and was met by Ragan at the back post. The goal itself came out of the blue, and it was a shame for Vanbrugh whose defending up to that moment had been stout and impenetrable.
Still, Paul O’Beirne worked Denham before the half-time whistle. Another free kick from deep missed everybody in the box, but Denham parried it at the first attempt, juggled and collected at the third time of asking.
In the second half, Halifax started to show the form which has made them the team to beat in Group C. McGuinness almost gave them the lead shortly after the break, but Taylor came out of his goal and made himself big to block the one-on-one effort.
Ten minutes into the half, the YUSU President was once again forced into action, McGuinness and Meckin having shots in quick succession, but Taylor was more than a match for them.
The pressure was beginning to tell, but it was to be a moment of magic which finally broke down the Vanbrugh defences. Connor McCoy, goal-scoring extraordinaire in College Cup 2013, added another to his tally with a pure strike from 20 yards. McCoy found room and struck a fearsome shot with the laces of his right boot, which curled away from the fully stretched Taylor and inside the far post.
At 2-1 Halifax didn’t sit back, and were the most likely to score another, bt Vanbrugh remained a threat, Ben Huckle came closest for the men in red and blue, almost turning in another free kick delivered by O’Beirne.
At the other end, Ryan Doherty had a shot well saved by Taylor’s legs and Christian Harrison failed to make a connection with a Meckin cross, which might have put the game beyond doubt.
As it was, ‘Fax held on to secure their place in the Cup. Vanbrugh were already assured of a place in the Plate, and on today’s performance should be a match for any team they meet there.