Men’s 2nds off the mark
Men's 2nd team finally notched up their first points of the season with a second half comeback that earned a 2-2 draw away at Sheffield Hallam
Sheffield Hallam 5th 2 Haliafx 2nds 2
Scorers : Willis, Horsley
Halifax gained their first points of the season and ended a disappointing run of defeats with a deserved draw in the steel city. The team performed heroically and so nearly left with all three points after a sterling second half comeback.
The side had a balanced look to it and welcomed back David Willis, Chris Reynolds and Paul Wheatley. Non playing captain Dave Manning opted to play Willis behind twin strikers John Horsley and Ryan Dransfield to beef up the attack as the midfield trio of Simon Arch, Peter Balmforth and Wheatley had a look of athleticism about it.
Hallam started the stronger and looked very lively up front. With sweeper Stephen Fawkes playing in front of the back three, Nick Barker, Bryan Hans and Chris Reynolds had to mark and tackle efficiently. The trio were up to the challenge and slowly but surely snubbed out the threat. When short corners were conceded from the early pressure, James Smith in goal was smart and agile making fine saves. The home side took the lead through a defensive slip just when Fax seemed to have weathered the storm.
Undeterred the visitors set about Sheffield in the second period with purpose and determination. Veteran Fawkes was becoming increasingly infuential though Dransfield had to be replaced by Cameron Hellowell as a result of injury. The teenager’s enthusiasm and athleticism did much to unsettle a team that was losing it’s way as the game progressed. It was no more than Fax deserved when David Willis found the net from a right wing move to equal the scores. Pressing hard, Fax scored again shortly afterwards from a well worked short corner. John Horsley slid the ball home from a right side pass.
With eight minutes remaining the visitors sniffed all three points. Nerves and caution led to them taking their foot off the gas and with time running out Hallam levelled following another defensive blunder.
Despite a post being struck in the last moments a point was the least Halifax deserved after bossing the second half. More importantly the performance was by far the best of the season and promises well for next Saturday’s home fixture against Doncaster.