Big win gets Mens 1s off the mark

Halifax got their season up and running at the 3rd time of asking, with a comprehensive home defeat of Thirsk and Old Malton.

Skipper Jake Bamforth returned to offset the blow of losing centre back Connor Sutcliffe, who fractured his wrist in last week’s away game at Leeds; manager Matthew Metcalfe remained in goals as regular keeper Mathew Breton works his way back from an ankle injury.

Halifax got off to the nest possible start, Michael Jones scoring from a penalty corner after 5 mins. Jones, Bamforth and Matthew Graham were at their ruthless best, regularly breaking into the Thirsk D and creating chance after chance. Jones grabbed his second, again from a penalty corner before Gabe Coleman made it 3-0 with a low strike from just inside the penalty area.

Graham then made it 4-0 after a well work move involving Josh Barron and Ben Greenwood.

At the back, Halifax were rarely troubled, with Andy Kaye, Josh Sutcliffe and David Wheatley restricting Thirsk to half chances only.

Bamforth made it 5-0 straight after half time with the goal of the game, coming as the home side countered a Thirsk attack, with Josh Foreman linking up well with Jones and Graham, before the Halifax skipper clipped the ball over the on-rushing keeper to the delight of the crowd.

Thirsk pulled one back, with the unfortunate Wheatley deflecting a cross into his own net, before Halifax responded.

Graham was given all the time in the world to grab his second, Jones completed his hattrick from close range and Coleman produced a cheeky deflection to give the home side their biggest winning margin for over 2 years.