Halifax 1sts 4 – 2 Rotherham 1sts
Scorers: Jones, Wilkinson, Hartley, Walsh
Halifax Ladies 1sts were fully prepared for a tough match at home against the team 2nd in the North League, Rotherham Ladies.
Having never met before, Halifax were stepping into unknown territory and after a good warm up stepped to try and obtain a fourth win in a row.
Rotherham, started strong and took Halifax by surprise getting their first goal in the first minute of the match. Undeterred the home side kept their focus and evenly matched the Rotherham side, with opportunities for both sides. Some good play from the home team earned them a short corner, and a well worked shot corner involving a slip to the left gave Emily Wilkinson a shot on goal that Steph Jones put away. The score stayed even until half time.
Into the second half, with Halifax playing well throughout the team, Rotherham managed again to get a goal back putting them ahead. Keeping their structure and determination to win, Halifax earned another short corner that Emily Wilkinson put away, to even the match. At 2-2, both sides had opportunities to score with Rotherham hitting the post on one occasion.
However, some excellent play across the back and some good play from Katie Love from the right hand side Halifax obtained their 3rd goal when Love struck the ball from the right side to enable Zoe Hartley to put the ball in the back of the net. Being ahead for the first time in the match, gave Halifax renewed vigour and the home side took the upper hand and continued to put the pressure on.
With 4 minutes to go, Emma Bedford stuck the ball at goal which the Rotherham keeper saved which Kate Walsh pounced on to get the 4th goal.
An excellent win, which keeps the Park Lane side in 5th position just 3 points behind leaders Chapeltown.
Next week Halifax are hopeful of another 3 points when they travel away to Boston Spa