Solid win for Mens 1sts

The 3 points keeps them on top of Yorkshire 1 and with their nearest rivals (Rotherham) losing, the team have a little daylight between themselves and other promotion contenders Harrogate.

Halifax started brightly and a couple of half chances were created but it was clear that Hull were not going to be beaten easily and with a live wire keeper and some useful forwards the team needed to be sharp.

Skipper Matthew Graham led by example with the 1st goal which was an exquisite lob over the advancing keeper from the narrowest of angles.

Good work from Gabe Coleman and Josh Sutcliffe led to a penalty corner and Graham converted this corner with a good flicked goal which the keeper could only deflect into the net.

Henry Shelton in the heart of the Halifax defence was having an excellent game and Josh Foreman was also solid and able to get forward to support the attack.

Top scorer Jake Bamforth added to the Halifax lead after Matthew Bairstow had created space with a typical clever dribble - Bamforth's reverse stick shot lobbing over the diving keeper.

3-0 at half time.

Halifax then allowed Hull into the game with some lazy play with players not tracking back and leaving the defence exposed.

Hull scored twice in a 10 minute period and keeper Tony Sykes was kept busy. As in previous games, Halifax picked up the level of their play with Bairstow and Graham to the fore.

Baistow stole the ball cleverly from a Hull defender and was able to find Bamforth who in turn was able to play a great pass to Graham who completed his hatrick with a composed finish.

Bairstow then completed the scoring for Fax finishing off the best move of the game which saw the ball go through 6 Halifax players.

In the dying seconds Hull scored a consolation goal from a penalty flick. 5-3 win.

Halifax play 2nd placed Rotherham next Saturday at Park Lane