For the third week in succession, Captain Nigel Bowers was able to field a team with only minor changes and this is certainly the main reason for the upturn in fortunes. With Simon Meredith unavailable, the return of Jamie Maddock from 2nd team duty was well-timed and gave the squad a very strong look from the start.

York soon showed why they had started the season well, with a very experienced and robust defence nullifying early Halifax advances. As has become the pattern over recent weeks, Jason Smith and Steve Rooke worked hard to secure the central midfield area and with Matthew Ward and Connor Sutcliffe providing width, Halifax built a base from which to move forward.

As the half progressed, however, it became evident that this would be a game of few chances with much of the game fought out in the midfield area. With both teams determined not to give ground, tackles came in thick and fast and tempers flared on both sides. At times, however Halifax were able to show their quality with Rooke and Ward linking up well down the right causing the York defence problems. After one period of pressure, Halifax were awarded a penalty corner which Maddock controlled at the edge of the D before drilling a hard low shot into the corner to give Halifax the half-time lead.

The second half was much the same as the first with both defences having the upper hand. Nick Walton again performed well in the 3 man Halifax back line alongside Maddock and Lee Chapman and behind them , goalkeeper Owen Waites – promoted from the fourth team last week – had another excellent game. As the half drew to a close, Chris Reynolds moved back into the defensive line to add more security and although York pressed hard and gained a number of penalty corners, Halifax held on for a well-deserved victory.

The final game before the Christmas break is at home against Wakefield and a win will put the team in a secure mid-table position

Match details

Match date

Sat 08 Dec 2012

Kickoff

TBC

Competition

Division 5 North

Team overview