After a slow start, Halifax’s third string overcame Derwent’s 3rds, running out as relatively comfortable 2-1 victors. Derwent started the game with purpose and pressed high up the pitch, rushing the pressured Halifax defence, but after the ‘Fax settled into the game they looked to be in control.
Both sides spent the first half feeling each other out to the point that neither team really got a sniff of goal in the opening period. The best action of the half came when Halifax’s Moyle made a surging run down the left hand side and then switched it to Cole, who cut inside but was unable to get an effective shot away.
Halifax immediately looked brighter as the second half began, with their midfield three of Ullyott, Lewis and the excellent Andy Wallace working well together and playing some smooth football along the floor.
They took the lead fairly early on in the half in somewhat comical fashion however. A ball was curled into the Derwent area from the right and the bounce took it away from the onrushing Halifax forwards. The ball looked to be heading safely into the hands of Derwent ‘keeper Stu Bruce until he unfortunately and inexplicably tripped, allowing Fraser Moyle to nod into an empty net at the back post and make it 1-0.
Both sides, Halifax in particular, looked far more potent in this second period, and the men in white had several chances to double their lead. Lewis dummied well to allow Moyle to lay the ball off for Andy Wallace on the edge of the area, but his side footed strike went just wide of the upright.
Jake Mundy and Matt Darling also struck the wall with free-kicks and Cole hit a shot straight at the ‘keeper after breaking free down the right hand side, whilst at the other end, a volleyed turn-and-shot from Derwent’s Jon Garness showed how
dangerous he can be.
It was two Halifax substitutes however; Hamish Denham and Goodfellow, who linked to improve their side’s advantage. Denham launched one of his trademark long throws into the area and Goodfellow headed powerfully home to make it 2-0.
Soon afterwards, Derwent had got a goal back though, and Halifax once again held only the slenderest of leads. It was once again a substitute who was to make the difference. The ball broke loose behind the Halifax defence and Koduah-Sarpong used his pace to latch onto it and coolly slot past Josh Fisher to make it 2-1.
Derwent could not complete an unlikely comeback however, and the game’s last hurrah came through some sparkling skill from Halifax’s Denham. On a run down the right he expertly nutmegged Charlie Nichols before jinking his way past another defender and putting a ball into the box which, had it been turned in, would surely have gone down as one of the goals of the tournament.
‘After a slow start we were definitely the better team’, said Halifax captain Dan Aindow after the final whistle. ‘We deserved the result and are just looking forward to the next round now’. In their next round incidentally, the ‘Fax 3rds will be forced to take a step up as they face Derwent’s 2nd string in what promises to be a very interesting semi-final.
Vision MOTM: Andy Wallace- The Halifax player was imperious in midfield, spreading the ball well.
He played a huge part in setting up his side’s victory.