Mens 1sts battle back to win again!!

On a rain-soaked day in South Yorkshire, the away side had to dig deep against an opponent who had yet to win a game this season.

James Smith and Leigh Walker replaced the injured duo of Matthew Metcalfe and Dave Wheatley, but it was the visitor’s attacking line who saw the majority of play in the first half.

Despite the under-foot conditions being difficult, the away side kept control of possession through the tireless Gabe Coleman and skipper Matthew Graham.

Graham got the side off to the best of starts with a trademark reverse finish from just inside the area, after Josh Sutcliffe had broken a couple of tackles.

Halifax should have been well clear by half time, with a hatful of chances being wasted, the best of which fell to right back Josh Barron who saw his shot from 5 yards go narrowly wide thanks to a last ditch deflection.

Doncaster then got back into the game from a penalty corner, with Walker being punished for a momentarily lapse in concentration, which allowed his man to score at the far post from a rebound.

At half time, Halifax were confident that they could wrap up the win and head home with three points. However the home side had different ideas and some poor marking allowed them to score two goals in quick succession. Both coming from reverse stick strikes past a stranded Smith.

Halifax had battled back from the same position away at Leeds recently and their winning habit is one they are finding difficult to shake, so it was no surprise when leading scorer Jake Bamforth pulled one back after being picked out at the far post by Graham’s inch perfect pass.

Graham then grabbed the equaliser, sliding in on goal to force the ball home after a good run by man of the match Sutcliffe.

The tide turned as Doncaster were reduced to ten men for dissent and Halifax piled on the pressure. They got their reward when Matthew Bairstow’s mazy run and pass found Bamforth in space and his first time effort was blocked, only for Sutcliffe to crash home the rebound from 10 yards.

Doncaster tried to force an equaliser, but found Tom Love in fine form at left back, as he made two top class stops from close range.

Sutcliffe grabbed his second, to put the game to bed, with a smart finish in front of goals after Graham had linked up well with Coleman.

Halifax head into Sunday’s Yorkshire Cup semi-final full of confidence and are hoping for a bumper crowd for the 12pm push back.