Men's 1s bounce back in style

Halifax 1s 8-1 Ben Rhydding 2s

Determined to put last week’s defeat behind them, Halifax 1s responded in style with an 8-1 thrashing of rivals Ben Rhydding

With Michael Jones ruled out through illness, it meant midfielder Josh Barron moved up front to partner Jake Bamforth in the strikers slot and it reaped huge rewards with Barron scoring a hat-trick and taking the man of the match plaudits.

The game started quite an even battle with both side probing for the opening goal. Bamforth and Barron were showing early signs of gaining the upper hand with some smart inter play with Matthew Graham.

After a couple of wasted short corners by Ben Rhydding, Halifax started to take control of the game and Graham and fellow midfielder Tom Love were dominating possession and launching attack after attack for the home side.

It was Love that then opening the scoring, put through by a fine pass from Bamforth, with only the keeper to beat Love found the bottom corner despite slipping and stumbling as he shot. Love almost made it 2-0 when again put through and with only the keeper to beat, but again he lost his footing falling to the floor and squandered the chance.

Bamforth made it 2-0 before Ben Rhydding pulled a goal back just before half-time via a penalty corner. The corner was taken short and the angled strong strike went through keeper Metcalfe’s legs in the middle of the goal.

The second half was all about turning the possession and domination into goals, whilst keeping the impressive defensive display up.

Barron got his first followed by Bamforth bagging his second. To open up a 4-1 lead. Barron’s second followed a sweeping move from defence as Oliver James played the ball quickly out to Graham who’s long ball found Bamforth on the by-line and his cross was smartly finished by Barron to move Halifax ahead 5-1

Josh Sutcliffe and David Wheatley were marshalling the defence well with some fine tackling and along with James and the returning Connor Sutcliffe, Ben Rhydding were finding no way through.

Josh Sutcliffe thought he had added a 6th as he was given time and space to receive a pass on the run on the edge of the area, but his great strike into the top corner was dis-allowed and a penalty corner awarded for an infringement just before the strike. However, it was a stay of execution for Ben Rhydding as from the penalty corner a strike from Graham was parried by the keeper and Sutcliffe was there at the rebound to slot home

Love added the 7th and his second of the game with a strike from a well worked penalty corner routine before Barron rounded off the game and his fine performance with his 3rd and Halifax’s 8th when his converted Bamforth’s cross at the back post.

A brilliant all round team display and the team are away to Kingston-Upon-Hull next week as the look to keep up the challenge at the top of the table