Mens 4ths work hard for victory

Team: S Lapworth, Matt (Aussie), A Turner, Neil Penny-Ward (C), H Greenwood, J Willis, L Chapman, P Crowther, M Brennan, P Green, R Atkinson, G Hines, T Love, D Wheatley

Halifax welcomed Matt the Aussie into the team for his debut with the club. Having five/six players walking wounded meant a patched together team would have to work hard to come away from this game with a win.

The game started lively and Halifax clearly had the upper hand as chance after chance rained down on the Bradford goal without a goal.

Halifax were once again wasting excellent opportunities to get a lead in the game.

Ten minutes in a quick break from fax and a superb cross from jack (with his new stick) set up in form Atkinson to score a well placed goal passed Bradford keeper.

Shortly after a quick break and interplay from M Brennan, H Greenwood, P Crowther, L Chapman and J Willis, and a nice deflection left the ball on the end of P Greens stick which was fired past the keeper and Halifax were cruising.

D Wheatley made a 5-10 minute appearance recovering from his Broken Thumb but was soon replaced by Harry.

The rest of the half was played in good spirit and Halifax looked comfortable as half time approached. Aussie Matt made some timely tackles as Bradford’s confidence grew.

A silly mistake at the back from a poor hit out led to a Bradford Short Corner that was duly dispatched through A Turners legs and passed stand in keeper Lappy, were Halifax suffering the nerves of the last few weeks?

Half time Halifax 2-1 Bradford

During half time captain Penny-Ward decided to change the formation to stop the man over from Bradford. Halfiax changed to 4-4-2 and Halifax in the past have struggled to adapt to formation changes.

The second half started nervously with the formation change and the new combination of Turner and Greenwood at the centre back was soon in trouble as Turner left the field with another injury to add to the list! Replaced by G Hines who limped onto the field.

Soon enough M Brennan and J Willis a new combination in the centre of midfield was starting to dominate the play once again. P Crowther was replaced by T Love who was carrying a knock and was not ready to play.

This was after his great performance last week where “Black Sambuca” was his best friend as he was held responsible for Halifax losing the game in the last minute (According to Gordon!).

Halifax and Bradford exchanged chances as the second half continued and Bradford looked like they would nick a goal. A breakaway (Not the chocolate bar Greeny) from P Green and a PASS!!! We all know its a rare occurrence, allowed Lee to slot the ball past the keeper for 3-1.

A further goal from R Atkinson from another P Green assist and Halifax were flying.

Confidence was high and Captain Penny-ward made way for Paul Crowther to re-enter the game for the last twenty minute little did he know that this would be at Centre back as he hadn’t played there before.

There was still time for Mike “Lee Evans” Brennan to get involved in a altercation with the Bradford captain where expletives were exchanged!

As the game drew to a close Bradford pinched two consolation goals and Halifax looked like they were crumbling again but luckily the umpire blew for full time.

Final Score 4-3, a well deserved win for Halifax over a poor Bradford!