Kew’s opener paves the way to top of the league
HALIFAX MENS’ firsts continued their brilliant start to the season with a convincing win against unbeaten Sheffield Hallam to go top of the Yorkshire Premier League.
Their eventual 3-1 win does not reflect a sharp, excellent performance all round as no fewer than 17 good chances were created while teenage defence pairing Jakob Morley and Jack Thomson did not allow Sheffield’s strikers any space.
The team welcomed back Matthew Graham for his first outing of the season and while he was guilty of several missed chances and hitting the post twice, he helped the team get some fluency in their passing.
Halifax opened the scoring when new signing Cameron Kew flicked the ball high into the net after good work from Josh Sutcliffe to make it 1-0 at half time.
Chances
continued
to be missed until a trademark thunderbolt from Michael Jones made it 2-0.
Sheffield clawed a goal back with 15 minutes to go, but Halifax continued to create chances and Kew got his second after a lovely move involving Sam Spencer, Rob Amos, Josh Foreman and Graham.
HALIFAX’S SECONDS were on the end of a defeat despite a good performance, going down 5-3 away to Doncaster.
Their goals were scored by Joe Costello, Peter Bamforth and John Horsley. 14 year old Rhys Hancock was the man of the match.
HALIFAX UNDER 12 boys travelled to Leeds University for their second Yorkshire League tournament.
They played four matches, with wins over York 1-0, Wakefield 1-0 and a 6-0 romp against Driffield, their one defeat came against Slazenger, by 3-0.
Goals came from Amos Mackerill (4), Hayden Kelsey (3) and Bhavan Sandhu (1).
Ethan Cockfoft Smith, Jack
Laycock and Elliot Rudkin all played well in defence and midfield, enabling the team to go forward with confidence.
Harry Egan Brook was excellent in his first game in goal. The results should prove enough to secure promotion for their next games on December 8.
HALIFAX LADIES II produced a spirited comeback against top of the league Sheffield Hallam, eventually losing out 4-3.
Despite going down to two early goals, conceded from penalty corners, Halifax battled back strongly to trail 2-1 at the break.
An excellent defensive hit from Cat Vose through to Izzy Crowe saw her one on one with the keeper, scoring Halifax’s first goal through a brilliant reverse stick sweep.
Kathy Shao made her debut performance for the team, having a very impressive game in goal.
A chance for Halifax to equalise came from a strong hit from Adele Muff, but Rebecca Brown’s deflection hit the post.
Halifax started stronger in the second half but conceded a quick early goal from another penalty corner.
A great strike from Brown at a penalty corner kept Halifax in the game at 3-2 to Sheffield Hallam.
But unbeaten Sheffield kept the pressure on, taking an opportunity from a mistake in Halifax’s defence to increase their lead.
Halifax were determined to keep themselves in the game through numerous attacks, centred around Man of the Match Robyn Fawkes.
Another attacking penalty corner saw Natalie Tyson’s powerful strike into the bottom corner of the goal, making the score 4-3 with little time to go.
HALIFAX’S LADIES IV were left regretting bad luck and missed opportunities as they drew 0-0 with Pudsey.
The impressive April Hendy caused problems for Pudsey, driving the ball out of defence strongly and linking well with Hannah Smith down the right wing.
The Pudsey keeper was in good form though and shots by Holly Powell, Angel Bentley and Cara Casson were all saved as Halifax threatened to put the ball in the goal.
Katie Collins played well in goal, in only her second game for Halifax.
She was well protected by the defence, preventing Pudsey from having many shots on goal, but the visitors were dangerous when on the occasions they broke through and Collins dealt well with the pressure.
In the second half, Halifax thought they had scored from a penalty corner when Hannah Smith struck the ball into the net, however the goal was ruled out.
Halifax continued to push forwards but despite enjoying more possession and territory could not find the break through.
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