College Cup: Halifax 4ths 1-0 Halifax 5ths

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Photos: Oliver Todd

A stunning Pettos Giannopoulos free kick was enough to send Halifax 4ths into the group stage of the College Cup, in an entertaining play-off clash.

With just over 5 minutes remaining, the striker drilled the effort from the edge of the area into the bottom corner in emphatic fashion, with ‘keeper Hamish Denham a virtual spectator.

The result means Halifax 4ths join Group 2, which includes James 1sts and Alcuin 1sts, and their first match will be against Vanbrugh 2nds on 8th May.

But Halifax 5ths will feel hard done by, after dominating the match in open play for long periods and producing arguably the best chances.

Indeed, they had a fantastic chance to take the lead after just four minutes of play.

Star man Tom Elliott profited from confusion in the 4ths defence after a long ball was punted downfield, finding himself with a clear sight of goal from 10 yards.

His delicate dink over a stranded Connor Tait almost crept into the far corner, but instead dribbled just wide.

The 4ths were reduced to playing long balls up to Ryan Doherty, and Giannopoulos occasionally had a sight of goal, but his shooting was wayward in the early stages.

Doherty then should have opened the scoring for the 4ths after 12 minutes when clean through, but his tame effort was deflected away by Denham’s left leg.

His opposite number Tait was also called into action, just before half time. Matthew Lockey played a long, high free kick into the 4ths’ penalty area, where Joe Emerson directed a splendid diving header back across goal. However, Tait sprang to his left to claw the effort away brilliantly, to the relief of his teammates.

The 5ths began the second half brightly, Chris Wilson raiding down the left wing and beating the full-back before clipping in a cross which Elliott headed just wide at the near post.

Shortly after, the 4ths almost punished a mistake by a flat-footed 5ths defence as Rieck was able to slip a pass to Doherty, who danced around the ‘keeper before his shot was cleared off the line superbly by the alert Vinnie Cornwell.

The 5ths then had the game’s best chance with 15 minutes remaining when Wilson found himself clean through. Despite twisting and turning away from the attentions of Tait, his shot was a damp squib as it looped wastefully over the bar with 4ths defenders struggling to get back on the goal line.

The game became quieter after this chance, and the prospect of extra-time seemed the likely outcome.

However, a clumsy 5ths tackle on the right of the penalty area handed Giannopoulos the perfect opportunity to quash such thoughts.

His low free-kick was bent around the wall and hit the back of the net with aplomb, and, although it was very well struck, questions will inevitably be asked about the position of the 5ths wall.

The 5ths had few chances in the dying minutes, but there was a grandstand finish.

After a scramble from a corner, Wilson had three shots in quick succession which were blocked by 4ths players putting their bodies on the line.

After the match, 4ths captain Elliot Taylor-Wheeler admitted: “It was a tough game. We didn’t expect it to go that far, but they put up a great fight and really wanted it. I think we could cause some upsets in the group.”

5ths captain Grant Evans was disappointed his side could not convert their superiority into goals: ““We’re gutted. We thought we played the better football, and to be beaten by a set piece is disappointing.”

Vision MOTM: Tom Elliott