Men's 4s punished by slow start

Halifax men's 4th team travelled to Wakefield to play a well drilled and competent team.

The game started badly with Halifax struggling to put passes together and they gave the ball to easily.

This allowed Wakefield too much possession and space. 2 goals resulted despite the efforts of stand in keeper, Roy Atkinson. The team did improve with Andy Turner and Paul Graham pushing them forward and Gordon Hines having more possession in midfield.

Paul Crowther was making some good runs in a new position for him at centre forward and he had a couple of half chances. Connor Sutcliffe got a goal back for the visitors and a great run by Hines saw his shot well saved by the Wakefield keeper.

2:1 at half time and Halifax were still in the game at this point.

Wakefield came out in the second half with plenty of purpose and their passing was more crisp than Halifax and as some of the old legs tired gaps were opening up and a quick couple of goals gave them some distance between the teams.

Graham pushed forward and in combination with Paul Newton and Michael Broadbent, some pressure was exerted on the Wakefield defence. Graham hit the bar from a tight angle and Sutcliffe had a good shot saved.

Wakefield caught Halifax out on the break to take the lead to 4-1. The visitors did not give up and had the better of the final 10 minutes with George English-Burns playing well down the right and making some good passing moves with Sutcliffe and Hines.

Halifax had the last word when English -Burns saw the late Graham run and fed him a lovely pass, Graham 's shot was well saved but Sutcliffe followed up to flick the ball home.

The team have a rest week next Saturday so hope to re group and get back into winning ways.