For all their chances, Halifax were unable to defeat Derwent 2nds in a game that should have resulted in a ‘Fax win. Coming of the back of a strong 4-2 win against Goodricke, Halifax were hoping to take the 3 points to lift them above Derwent 2nds and James 1sts . However, a very strong display from Derwent’s goalkeeper and a lack of clinical finishing, kept Halifax from claiming the 3 points.
Halifax started strongly but as was typical throughout the game, Derwent gained the first real chance on a counter attack after a teasing long ball from the back, but were unable to provide that last bit of composure. It was only after a slip up by a Derwent defender that ‘Fax’s McCoy was able to break through on goal and provide the games first goal.
High quality keeping from both keepers prevented either side adding to the scoreline despite some cleaver attacks and link up play from both sets of forwards, but Derwent seemed unable to be able to hold possession and only an ambitious lobbed shot came close to equalising. That was until near half time when lack of communication in Halifax’s defense led to a scramble in the box and a sloppy equalising goal.
The second half got underway straight away when good work up play led to Heath lobbing Derwent’s goalkeeper with a header. The chances kept coming much like in the 1st half for Halifax but they just didn’t seem able to score, their control of the game only increased with aggressive passing causing Derwent’s defense a lot of troubles, but still nothing gave.
Halifax’s game was summed up in one chance when, after a great save from Derwents keeper, Halifax were unable to capitalise on the rebound as Derwent’s keeper somehow managed to scramble to save it. Derwent’s keeper’s excellent game was only momentarily troubled after he got a shot straight to the crotch leaving him firmly on the floor for a long time.
It wasn’t only Derwent’s goalkeeper who was managing to withstand Halifax’s onslaught, their defense remained solid with some first-class challenges as well. Halifax’s hard work only led to Derwent managing to bag a sloppy equaliser, again due to problems in ‘Fax’s defense.
The second half was much more Halifax’s game than the first half, but it was Derwent who managed to break the deadlock right at the end of the game to make it 3-2 and to clinch the game overall.
In a frustrating game for Halifax, they didn’t manage to gain three points and capitalise on their previous win, and they remain on 12 points whilst Derwent move up to 15 points.
Captain Garo Heath said of the game that their, ‘inability to deal with set pieces and not taking our changes ultimately cost us, we could’ve scored 10 while they had three shots and scored three. Nevertheless, I have no doubts we’ll get our revenge come college cup’.
Vision MoM: Felix Aylett (Derwent)