Resounding Pre-Season win for Men's 2nds

The improvement was based around the addition of new players for this season - Olly Jackson and Henry Shelton, alongside a great performance from striker John Horsley, who bagged four goals.

The game began with Halifax bolstered by 2nd team regular Graham Rodgers appearing despite not officially being on the team sheet. This gave the defence an extra man that became essential for the team when Bryn Hans, who had started at left back, injured his quad in the first ten minutes with Rodgers slotting in with minimal fuss or disruption to the team formation.

Halifax began to dominate the game in midfield with Jackson coordinating the majority of attacks from left half and Cameron Hellowell finding room at the top of the diamond to probe the Leeds defence.

Several chances came and went before Horsley found his range to slot his first goal from close range.

A second quickly followed and Halifax then wasted a couple more before the Leeds defensive midfielder who caused problems all half set up a breakaway that thanks to a mix up between defence and keeper James Smith allowed the Leeds striker to sneak in and divert a cross in to pull a goal back before half time.

With Halifax recognising the danger and making sure the dangerous midfielder was covered after half time, the pressure on the Leeds goal increased with occasional breaks from Leeds causing issue, but not many strikes on Smith's goal.

Shelton found space to move forward and Jackson, now playing at the top of the diamond began to further influence the game finding space in between the Leeds defensive lines.

Horsley picked up a ball deep in the Leeds half, rounded the defender on the 25 and then drove straight at goal to score from close range for his hat trick. A fourth was added as he tipped in a cross at the back post.

A great through ball from Sam Spencer taking out two defenders allowed Kritian Mayland to score the pick of the goals as he fired from the right hand side of the D to finish the scoring after a defender touched a misdirected shot from Hellowell into his own goal.

This was a great team performance to take into the first league game of the season on Saturday against York, traditionally a tough opening fixture, where many players will be looking to take the chance to shine in front of first team manager Leigh Walker who will be on the sideline.

The current second team squad, if fully fit, should be looking for a very successful season.