Barron completes hat-trick as Halifax firsts inflict heavy loss on strugglers
HALIFAX MEN’S firsts bolstered their title charge in the Yorkshire Premier with an 8-0 home rout of struggling City of York fourths.
Josh Barron was the standout player, scoring a hat-trick, while other goals came from Josh Sutcliffe, Connor Sutcliffe, Michael Jones, John Horsley and Dave Wheatley.
A poor first half proved costly for Halifax men’s seconds when they lost 7-3 at Airedale in Division One.
The hosts scored six before the break but Halifax fought back on the resumption with goals from Joe Costello, Archie King and Bailey Blagborough. Sixteen-year-old King was the man of the match after a fine game.
In Division Four North, the third team lost 2-1 at Bingley Bees after conceding two goals in the opening five minutes of the game.
The contest could have gone either way with Bry Hans the stand out player for Halifax but his solitary goal was not enough.
The fourths also lost 2-1 in their Division Five North clash with visitors City of York.
It was a combination
of missed chances and inspired goalkeeping that won it for York. Paul Graham had two goals disallowed and Steve Sparkes finally scored from close range after good work from man of the match Mike Brennan.
Jamie Hereford and Luke Pearson caused problems for York while Gordon Hines and Tom Mitchell-Hewitt were rarely troubled at the heart of the Halifax defence in the second half.
Halifax ladies seconds had to settle for a point from their two matches in North League East Division Three South last weekend but they will be buoyed by their performances.
Facing title chasers Driffield on Saturday, Halifax put up a great fight and were edged out 3-2.
Halifax got off to a great start when Becca Brown slipped the ball home and they took their lead into the half-time break.
Driffield drew level from a short corner to draw level but Halifax remained the dominant side and Millie Cockcroft-Smith restored the hosts’ lead following a goalmouth scramble.
Halifax were made to rue missed chances to extend the lead when Driffield levelled again and the visitors then grabbed a late winner.
A late goal from Rebecca Brown earned a 3-3 draw with University of Leeds on Sunday.
Cockcroft-Smith and Brown fired Halifax into a 2-0 lead but Leeds fought back with three unanswered strikes.
However, Brown netted again late on to earn a point.
Halifax ladies thirds lost 2-1 in their top-of-the-table clash at Tadcaster Magnets in Yorkshire Division Two.
The visitors went 1-0 up in the first five minutes with a well worked goal from Libby Baldwin but two first-half strikes from two penalty corners gave Magnets the win.
Halifax ladies fourths had no answer to Division Four North West leaders Horsforth as they lost out 6-1
The home defence tried their hardest to keep the ball out of the D but Horsforth’s attack was too strong and they scored four in the first half.
In the second half, Cara replied with a great strike after good work from Hannah Smith but the visitors netted twice more to seal the points.