Understrength team costs Men's 1s

Sheffield Uni Bankers 4s 2-1 M1

With some last minute drop outs and George English called up from the second team, it was an understrength and bare 11 team that faced the long away trip to Sheffield Uni Bankers 4s. Despite this, after a run of 3 home games and 3 wins Halifax had every right to go into the game confident and looked to get into the struggling Bankers side from the start.

Michael Jones and Jake Bamforth who have been in form and scoring plenty of goals strarted up front with Matthew Graham and Tom Love starting in centre of midfield. It was good link up play from Love and Graham that set up Bamforth for the first chance of the game but the strikers touch just let him down as he tried to create space for the shot

Jones then sent a shot narrowly wide and Bamforth squandered a couple more chances before Bankers started to get back into the game. Keeper Matthew Metcalfe producing 2 fine saves to deny Bankers the opening goal. He could do nothing moments later however, when the home side took the lead from a penalty corner. Defender Ben Greenwood inadvertently stepped across in front of him and the strike went in, leaving him helpless in proiducing a save

Halifax looked to be granted an immediate lifeline back in the game as a Jones strong run into the D produced a foul that the Umpire decided was serious enough to award a penalty stroke for. Jones himself stepped up but fluffed his attempt and the keeper saved easily at his feet.

Bankers then scored their second against the run of play again to go into half time 2-0 up.

The second half brought more chances as Halifax pressed and tried to turn their possession advantage into goals. It looked like it was going to be one of those games though as the Halifax wasted further opportunities in front of goal.

Finally Halifax found the back of the net as Graham finished off a move he started. Sam Spencer was able to get space on the left and his cross was slotted home from Graham from the centr of the D

With Halifax pushing for the equaliser, it was leaving opportunities for Sheffield to try and use the little possession they were having to counter attack. In a frantic 10minute spell they nearly extended their lead further with 3 golden opportunities. Fristly, defender Josh Sutcliffe was adjudged to have tripped a striker in the D leading to a penalty stroke, which the taker sent high and wide. A few minutes later and their winger went through and a combination of Metcalfe and the recovering defender David Wheatley managed to clear the danger. Then finally a second penalty stroke was awarded when Metcalfe brought down a striker, but again the stroke was missed as it hit post.

Halifax won a final penalty corner as the final whistle went, but Jones’ well struck attempt was smartly saved by the keeper.

Disappointed with the result Halifax were pleased with the effort given by the team and head into the next game with Ben Rhydding which is at home next Saturday.