Halifax finish on wrong side of nine-goal thriller
HALIFAX LADIES thirds finished on the wrong side of a 5-4 scoreline in a nine-goal thriller at Sheffield Hallam.
Sheffield won the league last year, with Halifax finishing second, so the away side knew they were travelling to play against a very able team.
From the first whistle, Halifax were on the back foot with Sheffield piling on the pressure in attack.
Some fast play and some great individual skill saw the home side go 4-0 up in the first 25 minutes of the game.
A shell shocked Halifax managed to re-group and started to tighten up all around the pitch.
Margaret Bottomley had the ball in the net from a penalty corner but this was disallowed by the umpires.
Moments later, forwards Ellie Sutcliffe and Courtney White combined up front and White managed to convert from a tight angle to give the away side a slither of hope for the second half.
After a positive half time talk, Halifax came flying out of the blocks.
Five minutes into the half, some creative passing in midfield saw Halifax get a second goal, Ellie Sutcliffe converting to lessen the deficit.
Halifax then got on top, with another goal coming quickly. Hannah Speakman converted from a move that started in the
Halifax half from a free hit won by Hannah Smith.
The game then settled with both teams creating opportunities.
Goalkeeper Kathy Shao made vital saves again to keep Halifax in the match.
Sheffield had a goal disallowed but then managed to get another to take their tally to five.
But Halifax didn’t go down without a fight and some great individual skill again from White, who had been causing problems for the Sheffield defence all afternoon, saw her get Halifax’s fourth goal of the game.
The away side continued to press for another goal to secure a well deserved point but ran out of time.
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