Ladies 4s up to 3rd with win

Halifax IV v Tadcaster Magnets II result 1-0 home win.

Halifax were in a confident mood having won their last two home matches, but were facing tough opponents in Tadcaster who were above them in the league.

Halifax piled the pressure on from the start with Claire Robertshaw and Vicki Ferninando running at the experienced Tadcaster defence. The visitors struggled to clear the ball to their forwards and failed to make any significant attack on the Halifax goal in the first fifteen minutes.

The pressure paid off for the home team as they were awarded a series of short corner but failed to take advantage despite some strong shots from Rachel Rosier. Tadcaster upped their game towards the end of the first half but strong defensive work from Sydny Midgley and Amber Penny-Ward gave keeper Sasha Penny-Ward little to do. Ani Bari worked tirelessly in the centre making some strong passes out wide. Halifax absorbed the pressure from the visitors and despite a series of attacks on the Tadcaster goal, could convert and the scores were level at 0-0 at half time.

The second half was more even with some strong attacks from both sides. Tadcaster were awarded the first of three short corners, but failing to score left them exposed to a Halifax attack. A beautiful ball in to Robertshaw saw her beat the keeper in a one on one with the Tadcaster keeper to give the home team the lead. Despite some strong attacks from both teams the score remained at 1-0 in a game that could have seen many more goals but for some excellent keeping from both goalie.

It was a reflection of the team effort that four players, Robertshaw, Issie English-Burns, Leigh Hirst and Jo Hardingham and Jo Hardingham, shared the Player of the Match with the win moving Halifax up to 3rd in the league.