Men’s 3rds lose competitive derby match

Halifax 3rds 0 Bradford 2nds 1

After gaining their first point of the season last week, a much-changed Halifax team played hosts to local rivals Bradford 2nds who had started the season with two victories, scoring 17 goals in the process.

With 3 key midfielders unavailable, Captain Nigel Bowers drafted in Jamie Maddock, Paul Crowther and Tom Cullen who all acquitted themselves very well. Indeed, Maddock playing alongside the ever-dependable Graham Rodgers at central defence, was arguably the Halifax Man of the Match.

Determined not to become Bradford’s latest victims, Halifax began the game in an organised and defiant mood and it was soon evident that this was not going to be a game for the feint hearted. After a number of heated exchanges from both sides, the Umpires stepped in to calm matters down leading to two Bradford players and one Halifax player being “sin-binned” as tempers flaired throughout the game.

As the first half progressed, Bradford began to dominate possession and only a strong team performance prevented Halifax from going behind, with the forward line of Cullen, Green and Collins acting as a very effective first line of defence. On the occasions that the Halifax defences were breached, the excellent James Smith in goal pulled off a number of first-class saves.

The pattern changed very little in the second half with Bradford again dominating possession. Although Halifax did manage to create some chances, the pressure continued to build and, after a couple of missed tackles, Bradford were able to work the ball into the D and eventually break the deadlock when Smith was beaten from close range. Having been on the defencive for so long, it was difficult for Halifax to break out in the final period of the match, apart from one penalty corner which they unfortunately failed to convert.

Certainly not a game for the purists, but a typical hard fought derby between two competitive teams. Although unable to secure any points, Halifax continue to develop a strong team spirit which will hopefully begin to bear fruit when they travel to wakefield next Saturday