One to forget for Men's 1s

Halifax had an away trip to Sheffield on a cold, windy, snowy day knowing a win would bolster their position in the league and potentially drag their opponents into the relegation mix with 6 games remaining after this one.

Manager Mathew Metcalfe was missing a couple of key players and with defensive midfielder Andy Kaye ruled out with injury at the 11th hour, youngster George Burns was drafted up from the 2s after a promising debut earlier in the season. The tea was sent out looking to build on the positive passages of play from the last two games and the response was promising from the start.

Halifax began brightly, Michael Jones' through ball had a little too much pace for captain Josh Barron to run onto after it looked like he had broken clear of the defence.

Sam Spencer and Josh Sutcliffe combined down the left but Spencer's cross was cut out by a recovering defender.

Barron then found space down the right and cutting into the D was fouled winning the penalty corner. Jones stepped up and his slide rule pass was narrowly missed at the back post by the on-rushing Barron

Against the run of play, Sheffield picked up a loose ball at the top of the Halifax D and the looped mis hit shot dipped under Keeper Mathew Breton's hand. A soft goal to concede after being on top.

Almost immediately, Spencer went through one on one with the keeper but was forced wide and the chance of the equaliser went by.

The snow was coming down thick and fast now and Halifax's form seemed to disappear just as quickly.

Sheffield scored 2 break away goals to take a 3-0 lead and with just a couple of half chances in reply from Halifax, Sheffield took advantage with a 4th just before half time.

4-0 down at halftime there was no option but to switch formation and tactics and push forward in an attempt to get back in the game.

Starting the half brightly again, chances fell to Tom Love and Jones but Halifax couldn't find the goal they needed. Burns was again showing signs of his potential with some good runs and passing well to bring others into the game as Halifax pressed.

However, the gamble was always that it would leave spaces and the threat of counter attacks from Sheffield, which they exploited.

5 further goals without reply to end 9-0 to Sheffield made this a game to forget.

Halifax now have home games against the bottom two sides, Ben Rhydding and York University. With a slender 3point cushion over the sides these two games are massive in the league survival race.