Men's 4s fall to Airedale Pressure

An experienced Halifax team travelled to Airedale this weekend and just came up short in a highly competitive game. Having settled into the new rules and played well in previous games a confident team were looking for another victory.

Boosted by the full debuts of Jakob Morley and Kaenan Sutcliffe. Having been boosted by the return of Jake Gledhill from three years at University, the team was strong and headed to a well drilled Airedale at Oakbank School.

Airedale started on the front foot with some early pressure soaked up by Gordon Hines and Graham Rodgers in the heart of the defence. John Kalter was vocal and ordered the troops into position to stop any real opportunities.

Mike Brennan a thorn in Airedales side from the off was making his presence on the game as Halifax built confidence. Brennan picked up the ball an drove towards the Airedale D, skipped through a number of tackles and shot at goal, which arrowed into the bottom corner, 1-0 Halifax. By his own admission he was not looking and didn't expect to score!!

The youngsters were introduced and both Jakob Morley and Kaenen Sutcliffe made an impact from midfield.

Going one down, galvanised Airedale who again built the pressure and from a penalty corner the scores were level 1-1.

As half time approached Roy Atkinson and Jakob Morley had good chances. Roy had a chance cleared off the line and shot wide.

Right on half time a shot from Airedale was expertly saved by John Kalter, as he kept up his early season sensational form.

Half time 1-1

The second half started much like the first lots of pressure from Airedale. Soon after Mike Brennan saw yellow and was sent to the sinbin for a deliberate foul, honestly, the foul was probably on him first!

Airedale rallied and had some good chances, John Kalter was keeping Halifax in it. Gordon Hines, Jake Gledhill, Bailey Blagbrough and Jakob Morley started to take the game by the scruff of the neck, resulting in an Airedale player sent off for agree card 2 minutes.

Bailey Blagbrough was turning players inside out and a move between Bailey, Kaenen and Jakob nearly gave Jakob his first senior goal but his reverse stick shot went just wide of the post..

Sinbin over, Airdeale went back to full strength and took the lead from a great run and shot followed up 1-2. As Halifax tried to get back into the game a short corner from Gordon Hines was heading for goal and hit Aiden Crowe on the foot, goal disallowed. Gordon was angry Aiden had pinched his goal the week before, apparently magpies pinch things not Crowe's.

Unfortunately a slip from Graham Rodgers, strong and commanding throughout on an Airedale break led to Airedale pinching a goal 1-3.

This seemed to take the pressure of Halifax, who began to gain confidence again and bombarded the Airedale goal with shots, Paul Crowther missed the ball with an air shot, and Bailey nipped in on the back post to nick a consolation 2-3, Baileys first goal for Halifax despite Airedales claims he kicked it in.

The game ended with one more Airedale chance which John Kalter leaped cat like to clear.

Unlucky result, onto Bingley at home, next week.