Halifax 1sts deservedly booked their place in the last eight with a hard-fought victory over Vanbrugh 3rds.
After a quick-fire opening with three goals in twenty minutes, the match settled down but lost no quality, ensuring that Halifax will play the runners-up of Group 4 in the quarter finals, while Vanbrugh agonisingly miss out on advancing through.
Before kick-off, Halifax topped Group 3 with three wins and one loss; boasting nine points with a better goal-difference than Goodricke 1sts, who sat just behind them. And in third, Vanbrugh also had nine points, meaning all was to play for in today’s clash.
A good crowd gathered to witness an early goal for Halifax as Tom Day found space on the left wing before drilling the ball across the face of goal. Captain Jack Beadle did well to poke it through a cluster of defenders, beating Kallum Taylor in the Vanbrugh goal and providing the perfect platform for Halifax to go on and dominate the game.
Or so ‘Fax supporters would have wished. In fact, the goal did nothing but spark Vanbrugh into life and moments later a quality free kick from Habeck forced a good stop by Johnny Sim. And from the resulting corner, Chris Mason drove a deflected effort low into the net, levelling the score.
The goal provoked Halifax’s response and a long ball over the top from right-back Ash Daly was caught sweetly by Tom Day – who watched his effort whistle just wide, capping a frustrating first half from the gifted forward.
But it was not this ‘route one’ football that proved vital, though, as a bullet header from Matt Mawdesley restored the Whites’ advantage, meaning Halifax went into the break 2-1 to the good.
Halifax spent much of the second half taking speculative efforts from range, with Gio Pilides going close from a set piece and then Tom Day forcing a diving save from Taylor to keep Vanbrugh in the encounter. That was before Ash Daly cannoned yet another Halifax free kick into the wall.
Hamish Denham was a late introduction for Halifax, and after contributing to a skillful ‘Fax passage of play, which resulted in Day chipping the ball just wide, he wasted a few good opportunities for his side.
Becoming increasingly and visibly annoyed at his own performance, Denham proceeded to lash out at various Vanbrugh defenders – an unnecessary moment for the striker as moments later the final whistle sounded, ensuring Halifax go through.
Vanbrugh captains Mark Lajca and Mike Sutcliffe were pleased with the overall show from their team, saying: “We worked so, so hard and we can be delighted with our efforts.”
Vision Man of the Match: Ash Daly (26). The tireless right back showed his strength in defence and provided numerous opportunities for Halifax.