Men's 3s grab tight victory

After a difficult season last year when this team were relegated, they were hoping to be more competitive in Yorkshire division 5 North this season.

New captain Paul Mayes did not have the best starts with several players unavailable but the team came away with a welcome 2-1 victory.

The game had a dreadful start with the host scoring almost from the start with Halifax just not at the races. However veterans Paul Graham and Gordon Hines together with Simon Meredith began to take control of midfield and were able to settle the team down and get the lads moving forward.

Both Harry Greenwood and Dave Collins were creating chances but the final pass just did not have the required quality.

A deserved equaliser did finally arrive just before half time when Graham intercepted an Airedale pass on the 25 and his well timed pass found Collins in space. His shot was saved but the keeper was unable to clear and Collins pounced on the rebound to score.

A half time injury to Graham forced the team to reorganise and they came under some pressure from Airedale but man of the match Jamie Maddox was having a fine game with good reading of the game a well timed tackles.

Trevor Love,Hines and Sean Fitzpatrick also supported him well in defence and keeper Owen Waites only had a couple of saves to make and he dealt with these competently.

As the players tired, it was Halifax who were getting more possession with Neil Penny Ward, Paul Crowther and Mayes playing and important part.

Lee Chapman started the move which produced the winning goal with Greenwood getting onto his pass and playing a lovely early ball to Collins who took his time before firing past the stranded Airedale keeper.

The team withstood some late pressure to secure a welcome 3 points.

With both the clubs 3rd and 4th team in the same league, next weeks game where they play each other will prove interesting!